Shri PP Swami with 81-year old Time magazine issue

Ahmedabad, 29 September, 2011

After long-time efforts, Ahmedabad’s Maninagar Swaminarayan Mandir has finally received an original copy of 31 March 1930 issue of Time magazine that features Mahatma Gandhi on its cover page. Shri Swaminarayan Gadi, Maninagar’s Chief Priest Shri Purushottam Priyadasji Swamiji Maharaj (PP Swami) today presented this rare copy of 81-year old original issue of Time magazine to Maninagar mandir’s collection.

To ensure entitlement of this original issue of Time magazine, the followers of Maninagar Swaminarayan mandir sect settled in America hired agents who made successful bid in local auction.

According to historian Rizwan Kadri, Mahatma Gandhi was featured thrice on the cover page of Time magazine in his lifetime. He first came into global lime light when he was featured on cover of Time magazine in 1930 during Dandi yatra. This is the issue that Shri Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan, Maninagar has procured through successful bid of US$ 2000 in America.

Kadri said, Maninagar Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan has also procured another issue of Time magazine featuring Mahatma Gandhi on cover page as ‘Man of the year’ in year 1931. However this issue is still in America and it is expected to reach India soon.

Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan, Maninagar had earlier also procured a Time magazine issue featuring Shri Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on its cover page. This issue was later handed over to the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation for exhibition in museum.