So, what do the ascetic Mahatma Ghandi and the superyacht world have in common?

With a business empire built on alcohol, a flamboyant Indian billionaire and serial yacht owner could not be further removed from the life of the teetotal Mahatma Ghandi. However, he has now been hailed in India as a hero after putting in the winning bid of $1.8 million for Ghandi’s spectacles, sandals and watch at an auction in New York. He’s better known in superyacht circles as the owner of Oceanco’s 95m Indian Empress which is currently available for charter through Burgess in the Mediterranean this summer at a weekly rate from €900,000 high season and €800,000 low season. Sleeping 12 guests, she has a crew of 30. I particularly like the owner’s answer when faced with Ghandi’s quote, “Alcohol is not the answer to life’s question.”  He responded, “At least it helps you forget the question.”