Letter: Simple side of the tracks

I WAS surprised to read the following in Mark Tully's otherwise excellent piece: "Mahatma Gandhi deliberately chose to travel third-class to demonstrate that he shared the suffering of the poor." How much the Mahatma suffered is questionable, for the whole third-class compartment was thoroughly cleaned and disinfected for him before he was left alone to meditate in peace. As Sarojini Maidu said: "Ah, if the Mahatma only knew what it costs us for him to lead the simple life..."

SHYAMA IYER

London NW3