Gandhi memorabilia auction put off

2009-03-05 20:45:24 - Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is very keen to get back the personal belongings of Gandhi which form "valuable and priceless" part of the country's heritage, he told reporters.James Otis, the American owner of Gandhi's belongings, set new conditions that include India
shift priorities from military spending to health care for the poor to take the items off the auction, but Sharma said India has already taken several "broad initiatives" for the country's welfare.

With TV channel newsman talks to Tushar Gandhi, the great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi who said, "I am happy auction has been called off but I am not sure when those items will come to India."

Indian oficial media PTI reports that the US-based owner of Mahatma Gandhi's five personal items including the iconic round eye glasses today decided to withdraw
from the controversial auction of the prized memorabilia hours before they were due to come under the hammer.Sources close to the US-based collector James Otis said he would be formally communicating to the New York-based Antiquorum Auctioneers that he would like to withdraw from the auction.

There was no immediate word from the Auctioneers who have maintained that the auction will take place as scheduled at 3 AM Friday (IST).The auctioneers are reported to be reluctant to pull the five items off the auction bloc at the last moment, sources said. Parleys are underway to resolve the issue.

Otis's Adviser Lester Kurtz was quoted by TV channels as saying that Gandhi's items were not up for auction.Otis' move came after intense negotiations between him and Indian diplomats at the Indian Consulate in New York.Otis earlier in the day set new conditions including that India shift priorities from military spending to health care especially for the poor if he has to call off the auction.

The Indian government stood firm in its response and rejected the conditions and was even prepared to bid for the items if required.It was not immediately known what will be the fate of the items that also included a pocket watch, a pair of sandals and a plate and bowl besids the rimmed glasses after Otis takes them back. PTI

Author:
Naresh Sagar
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