Murder of Gandhi: Eyewitness speaks about Mahatma’s last moments

New Delhi:  As India readies itself to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on Wednesday, K.D. Madan (96), probably the last living witness of Gandhi’s last moments, paid an emotional tribute to the great leader.
Nathuram assassinated Gandhi A programme officer with the All India Radio (1944-1948), Madan was recording Gandhi’s post prayer speeches delivered every evening at New Delhi’s Birla House, the place where Gandhi was assassinated by Nathuram Vinayak Godse on January 30, 1948.
“On Wednesday, the world will celebrate Gandhiji’s (150th) birth anniversary. So on this occasion, I will not speak about that man (Godse), whom I saw committing the most awful sin on earth. But yes, when I am nearing 100 (years), I would assert that a man like Gandhiji comes into existence once in many centuries,” Madan, who lives in south Delhi’s Vasant Vihar, told IANS.
Recording Gandhi for months, Madan had observed the Mahatma closely.
“No doubt he was a towering personality, but during interactions, he was so gentle and courteous that I never felt that I was talking to such a big leader. I am close to 100 now, but I’m yet to see a leader as humble as him.
Madan talks about Gandhi “Unme ahankar bilkul nahi tha… Bilkul bhi nahi. Yeh baat aaj ke daur ke logon ko samajhni hogi (He did not have any ego, not at all. The present generation should understand this remarkable quality),” Madan ostensibly suggested to the present day leaders.