The questions on Mahatma Gandhi a gangster answered to top jail exam

Here is the complete question paper given to prisoners at Nagpur Central Jail. Gangster-turned-politician Arun Gawli topped the exam

"Generations to come will scarce believe that such a one as this ever in flesh and blood walked upon this earth," legendary physicist Albert Einstein once said of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi.

In a remarkable life, Mahatma Gandhi played many roles: that of a social reformer, a journalist and a freedom fighter, among others. His story of embracing peace and non-violence is taught in Indian schools.

But how much do you know about the Father of the Nation?

Do you know who cooked food for Bapu, as Gandhi was lovingly called, in Pune's Yerawada Jail? Or, what was the name of the spinning wheel developed by Gandhi?

Some of the inmates of the Nagpur Central Jail know. 

Every year, Sahyog Trust, Sarvodaya Ashram (Nagpur) and Bombay Sarvodaya Mandal organise an examination on the Gandhian thought, or Gandhi Vichar, for inmates as part of their rehabilitation programme.

Serving lifetime imprisonment, politician-turned-gangster Arun Gawli, or Arun Gulab Ahir, scored 92.5 per cent -- 74 out of 80 --- to become the topper in the examination held in October 2017. 

A total of 160 prisoners, including 12 on death row and several serving life-terms, voluntarily wrote the tests. Results were declared this August. 

According to the question paper obtained by Business Standard, the paper had 80 objective questions on the life and principles of Gandhi. Each question carried one mark, and inmates had an hour to finish the paper. The questions were based on the book, 'Gandhi Ganga'.

"The question paper is the same for students and for prisoners although the books used for preparation may be different," a functionary of Bombay Sarvodaya Mandal told Business Standard.

Here are some of the questions inmates had to answer:

1. After studying all spinning wheels, Gandhiji developed a beautiful spinning wheel called ______

2. The responsibility to give twenty raisins to Gandhiji was given to ______

3. Whenever a mistake was committed by Kaka Kalelkar, Gandhiji would call him ______

4. The Ashram inmates used the footwear made from the skin acquired in which way ______

5. The person Gandhiji sent for Navjeevan ______

6. Gandhiji offered naturopathic treatment to limping Dattoba: True or False?

7. Gandhiji could not comprehend the idea of Catastrophe (Apaddharma) in Lokmanya’s Gita: True or False?

8. During Kasturba’s last sickness, she was in (a) Yerwada Jail  (b) Sabarmati Ashram  (c) Aga Khan Palace  (d) Phoenix Ashram

9. What was inscribed on the flag of Maharaja Gaikwad of Baroda? (a) Ramnam Satya Hai (b) Yato Dharma, Tato Jay (c) Satyamev Jayate (d) Jin Ghar, Jin Takhat

10. The sculptor who made a replica of Gandhiji’s head was _____

11. Gandhiji erased the words from the declaration of fast (a) ‘water and soda’ (b) ‘lemon squash’ (c) ‘milk & vegetables’ (d) ‘fruits and nuts’

12. ______ brought 250 representatives from Calcutta to oppose Gandhiji’s proposal for non-co-operation. (a) Das Babu (b) Vallabhbhai (c) Rajkumar Shukla (d) Mohanlal Pandya

13. Mahatma Gandhi was highly influenced by which mythological character? (a) Ashoka (b) Vikramaditya (c) Harishchandra (d) Chandragupta

14. Name of the newspaper Gandhiji published in South Africa? (a) Indian Opinion (b) Indian Awakening (c) India and South Africa (d) Search for Truth

15. What was the name of the first Ashram established by Mahatma Gandhi in South Africa? (a) Durban Ashram (b) Pretoria Ashram (c) Johannesburg Ashram (d) Phoenix Ashram

Click on the image to read the whole questionnaire