Describing himself as a great admirer of Mahatma Gandhi, the owner of his personal items that are going under the hammer said he is ready to give them to the Indian government for 'free' if it decides to spend five per cent of its GDP on poor.

James Otis, the owner of the Mahatma's items, said he plans to donate most of the money collected from the auction to 'worthy causes' and institutions and groups working to promote Mahatma's ideals especially non violence.