The Mahatma’s kin are another story. After his profligate son Harilal, whose infamous lifestyle has been the subject of much hand-wrenching among Gandhians, the latest black-sheep in an otherwise illustrious family is the Mahatma’s great grandson Tushar Gandhi. Not necessarily for the vices that ruined Harilal, but for his questionable defense of Montblanc and his avaricious acceptance of its favors. An aspiring politician who lost his only electoral foray, Tushar began his double-speak public statement on the pen controversy saying “I’m not a thekedar (Hindi for contractor) of Bapu’s name,” while it turns out that his “trust” claiming Gandhi’s name and lineage was gifted $150,000 by the company, and Tushar himself shamelessly asked for and received gratis one of those high-end Gandhi pens as a personal souvenir. He justified that act, pleading ignorance of the astronomical price when he was first asked. No word on whether he returned the pen after he came to know its actual price.