Gandhiji was an embodiment of simple living and high thinking. His sentiments on non-violence made him prefer goat’s milk to that of cow’s milk. On his 85-day stay in London for the Round Table Conference held in 1931, the organisers found it very difficult to get goat’s milk. Hence before Gandhiji’s arrival, advertisements were published in some leading London newspapers stating that “All of you know that this great man of India, Mahatma Gandhi, is coming to England to participate in the Round Table Conference. He should be served goat’s milk. On account of this, we request those who have good and healthy milking goats may kindly send them to the Royal Agricultural Hall of Islington, London”.

In response to this notice, some fine goats started arriving in London. The organisers arranged goat’s exhibition for the benefit of London citizens, under the auspices of Islington dairy farm. Goat’s milk was supplied to the organisers by the farm. Meanwhile, the organisers invited Gandhiji to witness the ‘Goat’s Show’, first of its kind organized in London. Gandhiji visited the show at Royal Agricultural Hall on October 23, 1931, along with Madan Mohan Malaviya, Mira Behen and others. There, Gandhiji said, “In our country goats are very poor like we Indians, but here goats are very fat, healthy and looks attractive.. ..”

Two goats were rewarded in the show. One of the goats, whose milk was supplied regularly to Gandhiji by the farm was named ‘Mahatma Gandhi’. To commemorate the visit of Gandhi, “a group photo consisting of Mahatma and Madan Mohan Malaviya, along with the two awarded goats, was taken.This photograph heralding the visit of Gandhiji to London has become a unique document, being published in ‘Mahatma Gandhi - His Life in Pictures’, brought out by the Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, in 1954.