ID :
49052
Thu, 03/05/2009 - 08:02
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/49052
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Govt confident of acquiring Gandhi's items
New Delhi, Mar 4 (PTI) Indian Government Wednesday
expressed confidence that it would be able to acquire at the
"least cost" and by utilising "honourable option" the precious
articles of Mahatma Gandhi which are up for auction in the US
Thursday.
India has established contact with the US-based owner of
Gandhi's memorabilia James Otis as well as the auction house
Antiquorum Auctioneers as part of efforts to acquire the five
items, either after stopping the bidding process or by
participating in it through some NRIs.
Otis has expressed readiness to negotiate and donate the
items to India if it offers "something very generous" to its
poorest people.
"We will do whatever it takes to bring back these items
to India at the least cost and using honourable option," a
senior official of the Culture Ministry told PTI.
Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma said
the Indian embassy in Washington and Consulate General in New
York have been asked to do everything that is required
"through the bidding process or otherwise to acquire the
Father of the Nation's personal assets for the country."
The External Affairs Ministry said interactions have
taken place over the past several days between Indian
Consulate General and the Antiquorum Auctioneers.
Otis has been contacted by the Consulate General and he
has agreed to meet the Consul General in New York, the MEA
said in a statement here, contradicting Otis' reported comment
that he had not been contacted by any representative of India
in connection with the auction.
Five personal belongings of Mahatma Gandhi -- iconic
metal rimmed glasses, a pocket watch, sandals and utensils --
are scheduled to be auctioned in New York Thursday.
Government said these items have been spirited away and
should be restored to the Navjivan Trust, which is the trustee
and custodian of all properties belonging to Mahatma Gandhi.
Navjivan Trust is a public trust created by Gandhi along
with Mohanlal Maganlal Bhatta on November 26, 1929.
In this regard, the government cites Gandhi's will which
states: "I do not believe that I have any property.
Nevertheless, anything which by social convention or in law is
considered mine -- movable or immovable -- I endow as my heirs
the Navjivan Institution whom I declare as my heirs."
Even if Gandhi had gifted an item to a specific person or
institution during his lifetime, other than Navjivan Trust, as
a token of love, it is incumbent on such person or institution
to retain and cherish the item and not to seek commercial
advantage out of it, the government said. PTI ARU
AM
NNNN
expressed confidence that it would be able to acquire at the
"least cost" and by utilising "honourable option" the precious
articles of Mahatma Gandhi which are up for auction in the US
Thursday.
India has established contact with the US-based owner of
Gandhi's memorabilia James Otis as well as the auction house
Antiquorum Auctioneers as part of efforts to acquire the five
items, either after stopping the bidding process or by
participating in it through some NRIs.
Otis has expressed readiness to negotiate and donate the
items to India if it offers "something very generous" to its
poorest people.
"We will do whatever it takes to bring back these items
to India at the least cost and using honourable option," a
senior official of the Culture Ministry told PTI.
Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma said
the Indian embassy in Washington and Consulate General in New
York have been asked to do everything that is required
"through the bidding process or otherwise to acquire the
Father of the Nation's personal assets for the country."
The External Affairs Ministry said interactions have
taken place over the past several days between Indian
Consulate General and the Antiquorum Auctioneers.
Otis has been contacted by the Consulate General and he
has agreed to meet the Consul General in New York, the MEA
said in a statement here, contradicting Otis' reported comment
that he had not been contacted by any representative of India
in connection with the auction.
Five personal belongings of Mahatma Gandhi -- iconic
metal rimmed glasses, a pocket watch, sandals and utensils --
are scheduled to be auctioned in New York Thursday.
Government said these items have been spirited away and
should be restored to the Navjivan Trust, which is the trustee
and custodian of all properties belonging to Mahatma Gandhi.
Navjivan Trust is a public trust created by Gandhi along
with Mohanlal Maganlal Bhatta on November 26, 1929.
In this regard, the government cites Gandhi's will which
states: "I do not believe that I have any property.
Nevertheless, anything which by social convention or in law is
considered mine -- movable or immovable -- I endow as my heirs
the Navjivan Institution whom I declare as my heirs."
Even if Gandhi had gifted an item to a specific person or
institution during his lifetime, other than Navjivan Trust, as
a token of love, it is incumbent on such person or institution
to retain and cherish the item and not to seek commercial
advantage out of it, the government said. PTI ARU
AM
NNNN
