Exhibition on Nelson Mandela in Kolkata

Offering a glimpse into the life of anti-apartheid icon and former South African president Nelson Mandela, an ongoing exhibition in the city has been enthralling the leader's fans through artefacts related to Mandela's chequered life.

Organised by the Russian Centre of Science and Culture, Kolkata, the exhibition showcases photographs, postage stamps, copies of journals of the African National Congress (ANC) and myriad variety of posters highlighting the anti-apartheid movement and the freedom struggle.

Celebrating Mandela's 95th birthday, the event displays rare posters - some original and some copies - from the time of period of his imprisonment.

"The exhibition gives a detailed description of his life from his childhood to his present days. We got some of the posters, journals etc from various contributors in the city," Gautam Ghosh, programme director of the centre told IANS.

Paens to Mandela by various authors and books penned by the revolutionary are part of the exhibit that concludes July 30.

Mandela, who served as president from 1994 to 1999, has been in hospital in Prestoria since June 8 for a recurring lung infection, the result of tuberculosis developed when he was imprisoned during the apartheid.

The Nobel Peace Prize laureate has completed 50 days of treatment in hospital.

Mandela was rushed to a hospital in Pretoria June 8. This is his fourth and longest hospital stay since December last year.

The exhibition began on Mandela's 95th birthday July 18.