Sense of humour bonded Mahatma and Mandela: Tushar Gandhi

“Bapu was always deeply rooted in spirituality. But Madiba's belief was a matter of political necessity. To survive he had to embrace the values of non-violence and peace,” Gandhi said, adding, that the South African leader took to violent means initially after which he was arrested.  

“It was after his arrest he discovered Gandhi. But before that he was not bothered about him,” Tushar said adding that, Mandela didn't copy Gandhi but adopted whatever suited the needs of his nation.

He said the pain of partition could have healed had Bapu lived for some years after Independence just as Mandela was there after South Africa's freedom.