Otis says will cancel auction if agreement reached with India

Dharam Shourie

New York, Mar 5 (PTI) Suspense mounted over what strategy
the US-based owner of Mahatma Gandhi's personal belongings,
set to go under hammer shortly, would adopt as he indicated
that he may call off the auction if an agreement is reached
with the Indian government on conditions set by him.

In his proposal sent to Indian negotiators hours before
the precious items were set to be auctioned, James Otis, who
gave Antiquorum auctioneers Gandhi's iconic watch, glasses, a
plate, a bowl and a pair sandals, asked New Delhi to
"substantially" increase the proportion of its budget spent on
health care of the poor, shifting priorities from military
spending.

"I have agreed in principle to cancel the auction
provided I am able to reach an agreement on the proposal I
have made," Otis told PTI here Thursday.

He said he has not yet heard from the government of India
but he hopes to have a meeting shortly with the Indian
officials at the Consulate here.

Otis said his attorney would accompany him during the
meeting and that he would cancel the auction if the agreement
is reached.

He had earlier said that he also had a sample of Gandhi's
ashes and blood collected from the site of the Mahatma's
assassination.

"Although India has made many improvements in its public
health in recent years, according to WHO only 25 per cent
India's GDP that is dedicated to health care is paid out for
public health initiatives. The other 75 per cent of health
care expenditures comes from private funding," Otis notes in
his proposal.

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.

On Monday, Otis had said that he was ready to give the
precious articles to the Indian government for "free" if it
decided to spend five per cent of its GDP on poor. PTI DS
PMR
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