ID :
49201
Thu, 03/05/2009 - 16:42
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/49201
The shortlink copeid
Owner of Gandhi`s belongings sets tough conditions for India
Dharam Shourie
New York, Mar 5 (PTI) The American auctioneer of Mahatma
Gandhi's personal items Thursday set tough conditions for the
Indian government to stop the memorabilia from going under the
hammer which include shifting priorities from military
spending to health care, especially for the poor.
In the proposal sent to Indian negotiators hours before
the precious items are set to be auctioned, James Otis asked
India to "substantially" increase the proportion of its budget
spent on health care of the poor.
The Consul General in New York has faxed the proposal to
the External Affairs Ministry in New Delhi which is involved
in frantic last minute negotiations to stop the auction.
Personal belongings of Gandhi -- his metal-rimmed
glasses, pocket watch, a pair of sandals and a plate and bowl
-- are up for auction at Antiquorum Auctioneers here.
Besides, Otis also wants the Indian government to help
offices of its embassies support educational events that use
the Gandhi items to promote non-violent resistance advocated
by him in 78 countries "one each for the number of years
Gandhi graced us with his life on the planet".
The content of the programme, according to the proposal,
would be determined by a committee appointed and chaired by
Otis and Prof at George Mason University, Lester Kurtz, in
consultation with Gandhian scholars from India such as Dr N
Radhakrishan, Dr Savita Singh, or Dr S Jeyapragasam as well as
others.
If the Indian government agrees to his proposal, Otis
said he would also loan additional items from his collection
on other leaders who have preached non-violence worldwide.
They include a letter from Martin Luther King asking for
support for the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa, a
United Farm Workers flag signed by civil rights activist Cesar
Chavez, social activist Jane Addam's comb and brush from Hull
House, which is involved in social causes.
The exhibit will also include a sample of Gandhi's
blood from the site of his assassination and ashes from his
cremation.
The proposal was released late last evening and Otis
offered to work out details with the representatives of the
Indian government today. A copy of the proposal was provided
by a representative of Otis.
In the spirit of Gandhi's emphasis on caring for the
poorest of the poor, the proposal want the Indian government
to commit to substantially increasing the proportion of the
Indian government budget that is spent on health care over the
coming decade. "This would involve a shift in priorities from
military spending to the health care of the Indian people,
especially the poor."
Details of the proposal will be worked out with the
health ministry and experts in public health with measures
that would indicate over time the actual shift in the spending
priorities.
"Although India has made many improvements in its public
health in recent years, according to WHO only 25 percent
India's GDP that is dedicated to health care is paid out for
public health initiatives. The other 75 percent of health
care expenditures comes from private funding," Otis notes in
the proposal.
This "dramatic gesture" would demonstrate to the world
the "commitment of the Indian government to following the
principles of Gandhi's historical message that is just as
relevant today," it says, noting that the world has never
needed the example and message of Gandhi more than at this
"crucial point in human history."
His emphasis on non-violent resistance to tyranny in
any form and the use of non-violence as a means for engaging
in creative conflict has inspired countless individuals and
movements for civic improvement around the world, from Dr
Martin Luther King, Jr and the US civil rights movement to
contemporary human rights, pro-democracy movements and other
struggles for the improvement of life on the planet, it said.
In this context, Otis said India should use its good
offices as well as other contacts in the Indian community to
facilitate events around the world that educate and promote
awareness and dialogue with world leaders, NGOs and civic
leaders, scholars of Gandhi and non-violent social movement
and educational events in schools and universities.
It also wants India to provide complete funding for the
events including transportation and security of exhibit items
and publicity for each event and an "adequate administrative
budget" for their preparation. PTI
New York, Mar 5 (PTI) The American auctioneer of Mahatma
Gandhi's personal items Thursday set tough conditions for the
Indian government to stop the memorabilia from going under the
hammer which include shifting priorities from military
spending to health care, especially for the poor.
In the proposal sent to Indian negotiators hours before
the precious items are set to be auctioned, James Otis asked
India to "substantially" increase the proportion of its budget
spent on health care of the poor.
The Consul General in New York has faxed the proposal to
the External Affairs Ministry in New Delhi which is involved
in frantic last minute negotiations to stop the auction.
Personal belongings of Gandhi -- his metal-rimmed
glasses, pocket watch, a pair of sandals and a plate and bowl
-- are up for auction at Antiquorum Auctioneers here.
Besides, Otis also wants the Indian government to help
offices of its embassies support educational events that use
the Gandhi items to promote non-violent resistance advocated
by him in 78 countries "one each for the number of years
Gandhi graced us with his life on the planet".
The content of the programme, according to the proposal,
would be determined by a committee appointed and chaired by
Otis and Prof at George Mason University, Lester Kurtz, in
consultation with Gandhian scholars from India such as Dr N
Radhakrishan, Dr Savita Singh, or Dr S Jeyapragasam as well as
others.
If the Indian government agrees to his proposal, Otis
said he would also loan additional items from his collection
on other leaders who have preached non-violence worldwide.
They include a letter from Martin Luther King asking for
support for the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa, a
United Farm Workers flag signed by civil rights activist Cesar
Chavez, social activist Jane Addam's comb and brush from Hull
House, which is involved in social causes.
The exhibit will also include a sample of Gandhi's
blood from the site of his assassination and ashes from his
cremation.
The proposal was released late last evening and Otis
offered to work out details with the representatives of the
Indian government today. A copy of the proposal was provided
by a representative of Otis.
In the spirit of Gandhi's emphasis on caring for the
poorest of the poor, the proposal want the Indian government
to commit to substantially increasing the proportion of the
Indian government budget that is spent on health care over the
coming decade. "This would involve a shift in priorities from
military spending to the health care of the Indian people,
especially the poor."
Details of the proposal will be worked out with the
health ministry and experts in public health with measures
that would indicate over time the actual shift in the spending
priorities.
"Although India has made many improvements in its public
health in recent years, according to WHO only 25 percent
India's GDP that is dedicated to health care is paid out for
public health initiatives. The other 75 percent of health
care expenditures comes from private funding," Otis notes in
the proposal.
This "dramatic gesture" would demonstrate to the world
the "commitment of the Indian government to following the
principles of Gandhi's historical message that is just as
relevant today," it says, noting that the world has never
needed the example and message of Gandhi more than at this
"crucial point in human history."
His emphasis on non-violent resistance to tyranny in
any form and the use of non-violence as a means for engaging
in creative conflict has inspired countless individuals and
movements for civic improvement around the world, from Dr
Martin Luther King, Jr and the US civil rights movement to
contemporary human rights, pro-democracy movements and other
struggles for the improvement of life on the planet, it said.
In this context, Otis said India should use its good
offices as well as other contacts in the Indian community to
facilitate events around the world that educate and promote
awareness and dialogue with world leaders, NGOs and civic
leaders, scholars of Gandhi and non-violent social movement
and educational events in schools and universities.
It also wants India to provide complete funding for the
events including transportation and security of exhibit items
and publicity for each event and an "adequate administrative
budget" for their preparation. PTI
