Mahatma Gandhi, Father of the nation. Was he a good father?

I had been thinking of writing over this for a long time. To write over a topic which involves such a great name carries to much responsibility. I am still not sure that I am that kind of a responsible person or not but I just cannot stop myself from not writing. I apologize to anyone who does not agree to my research.
Gandhi as a father.
Gandhi was a great leader and he did so much for his country India. He was a great man but was Gandhi a good father? The story about his eldest son Hari lal, says it all. He lived a life of zero support from his father and his later actions were kind of revenge. How he lived and died is a tragic and horrifying story .
Gandhi became father of Nation but could not become the father of his own son.

Family tree Of Mahatma Gandhi

Early life[edit]
Harilal wanted to go to England for higher studies and hoped to become a barrister as his father had once been. His father firmly opposed this, believing that a Western-style education would not be helpful in the struggle against British rule over India.[2] Eventually rebelling against his father's decision, in 1911 Harilal renounced all family ties.
Harilal was married to Gulab Gandhi and they had five children, two daughters, Rani and Manu, and three sons, Kanti, Rasik and Shanti. Rasik and Shanti died at an early age. He had four grandchildren (Anushrya, Prabodh, Neelam and Navmalika.) via Rani, two (Shanti and Pradeep) via Kanti, and one (Urmi) via Manu. He became detached from his children after Gulab’s death in a flu epidemic.
Nilam Parikh, the daughter of Ranibehn, the eldest of Harilal's children, wrote a biography of him, entitled Gandhiji's Lost Jewel: Harilal Gandhi.
He appeared at his father's funeral in such derelict condition that few recognized him. He died of tuberculosis on 18 June 1948 in a municipal hospital (now known as Sewri TB Hospital) in Bombay, Union of India.
Conversion of religions[edit]
Conversion to Islam[edit]
It is said that for a short time Harilal converted to Islam and named himself Abdullah Gandhi at the age of 50.[citation needed]
Conversion to Hinduism through Arya Samaj[edit]
However, on his mother Kasturba Gandhi's request he converted back to Hinduism through the Arya Samaj.
Gandhi's Letters[edit]
In June 1935, Mahatma Gandhi wrote a letter [3] to Harilal, accusing him of "alcohol and debauchery". In the letters,[4] Mahatma Gandhi stated that Harilal's problems were more difficult for him to deal with than the struggle for Indian republic.
Harilal's Death[edit]
Harilal died of TB four months after Gandhi’s death on the night of June 18 at the age of 60. Being alcoholic he was racked by liver disease, and possibly syphilis. But records at the Sewri Hospital suggest that he died a lonely death. Harilal’s death certificate is preserved at the BMC’s archives in Vakola. It mentions 8 pm on June 18, 1948, as the time of death. There is no mention of any family members on the document, but it reveals that he was admitted to the hospital after being found unconscious in Kamathipura. [5]
Gandhi, My Father[edit]
The troubled relationship between Harilal and his father is the subject of the film and play Gandhi, My Father. The film adaptation was released on 3 August 2007 and directed by Feroz Abbas Khan and produced by Anil Kapoor. Harilal is portrayed by Akshaye Khanna. Khan's play, Mahatma vs. Gandhi,[6] while different from this film, had a similar theme. There is also a Marathi play named Gandhi virudh Gandhi.

Further reading[edit]

• Harilal Gandhi: What Life[7] by Chandulal Bhagubhai Dalal
• Gandhiji's Lost Jewel: Harilal Gandhi[8] by Nilam Parikh, grand daughter of Harilal

My conclusion would be based on what you guys think after reading this. Mahatma Gandhi became father of the nation but Harilal never had a father………