The government today 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 tomorrow.
India has established contact with the US-based owner of Gandhi’s memorabilia, James Otis, as well as the auction house, Antiquorum Auctioneer, 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 said.
Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma said the Indian embassy in Washington and the 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 tomorrow.
The 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 — moveable or immoveable — I endow as my heirs the Navjivan Institution, whom I declare as my heirs.”
