">Forum Views ()
">Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
India rejects deal to halt sale of Gandhi items
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Australia
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
Search
Search:
India rejects deal to halt sale of Gandhi items
By GAVIN RABINOWITZ,Associated Press Writer AP - Friday, March 6
NEW DELHI - India's government on Thursday rejected a proposal by the owner of Mohandas Gandhi's eyeglasses and other personal items that would have halted their auction but vowed to buy the independence leader's possessions.
ADVERTISEMENT
India's Junior Foreign Minister Anand Sharma said the demands, which included reallocating part of the national budget, infringed on the country's sovereignty.
The planned auction of items, which belong to collector and peace activist James Otis, has raised an outcry in India, prompting the government to attempt to bring the pacifist icon's belongings back to his homeland.
Otis said he planned to sell the Gandhi items to raise money to promote pacifism. He will give the earnings to groups that educate people on Gandhi's philosophy of pacifism and nonviolence, particularly in developing countries.
Culture Minister Ambika Soni told the NDTV news channel that India would bid for the items and "offer whatever it takes."
Gandhi's trademark round eyeglasses, a pair of worn leather sandals, an inexpensive pocket watch and a simple brass bowl and plate are scheduled to be sold in New York by Antiquorum Auctioneers as a single lot on Thursday, with an estimated low bid ranging from $20,000 to $30,000.
On Thursday, the Indian government rejected a draft agreement drawn up by Otis and representatives at India's Consulate General in New York.
Otis had been demanding that India raise its spending on the poor from 1 percent of its GDP to 5 percent, an estimated $50 billion.
Under the draft agreement India would commit to "substantially" raising its funding for poverty over the next decade. The second proposal was for India to fund a world tour of Gandhi-related items to raise awareness of the ideas of pacifism.
However, Sharma said these terms were not acceptable.
"The government of India, representing the sovereign people of this republic, cannot enter into such agreements where it involves specific areas of allocation of resources," Sharma said, adding Gandhi "would not have agreed to conditions."
The auction house said Gandhi is believed to have given the eyeglasses and their leather case to an army colonel who had asked him for inspiration, telling him they were the "eyes" that had given him the vision to free India.
The timepiece is a 1910 Zenith sterling silver pocket watch with an alarm that Gandhi gave to his grandniece, Abha Gandhi.
Gandhi also gave the bowl and plate to his grandniece, who worked as his assistant for six years. Gandhi, who advocated nonviolent civil disobedience to resist British rule in India, died in her arms in 1948 after being shot by a Hindu radical.
The sandals were apparently given to a British military officer who photographed the leader in the Yemen port city of Aden, where Gandhi had stopped en route to England.
In 2007, a letter written by Gandhi was withdrawn from a London auction to allow the Indian government to acquire it.
In an auction last week in Paris, the Chinese government complained about the sale of two bronze fountainheads looted from a palace outside Beijing in 1860, saying it wanted them back. A Chinese art collector made the winning bid, but admitted Monday that the bid was bogus and said he wouldn't pay the $36 million.
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Recommend this article
Average (0 votes)
Sign in to recommend this article »
Most Recommended Stories »
Related Articles: Asia Pacific
Aus, SKorea agree on security pact, free tradeAFP - 1 hour 12 minutes ago
NKorea threatens SKorean planes amid tensionsAP - 1 hour 22 minutes ago
New footage shows rare rhinos in IndonesiaAFP - 1 hour 59 minutes ago
Footage raises new questions about Pakistan attackAFP - 2 hours 12 minutes ago
Maldives bans reef shark huntingAP - 2 hours 58 minutes ago
Most Popular – Asia Pacific
Viewed
Space rock gives Earth a close shave
Motorcycles help keep you young: software expert
Ladyboy lizards use transvestite trickery: researchers
China runs ahead with spending torch
Obama releases Bush-era secret terror memos
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Thursday, 5 March 2009 Iran missiles can reach Israel atom sites: commander
| International
|
Jail riot in drug war-hit Mexican city kills 17
| International
|
Paula Abdul Sued By Woman Who Tripped On Her Driveway
Grand Ole Opry Star Ernie Ashworth Dies
Israel wounds two Gaza militants in air strike
| International
|
IAEA to choose new chief in March 26 election
| International
|
Afghan civilians at risk as long as war lasts: U.S.
| International
|
Uganda says captures LRA rebel commander
| International
|
Faulty altimeter played part in Turkish crash
| International
|
Amazon allows Kindle access from iPhone
| Technology
|
Spain PM an Internet star after F word slip-up
| Technology
|
Watchmen looks to conquer mainstream audiences
| Entertainment
|
British man guilty of murdering Harry Potter actor
| Entertainment
|
Fans wonder which Jackson might show for comeback
| Entertainment
|
Jimmy Fallon off to an uneven start, as expected
| Entertainment
|
Hague court issues warrant for Sudan's Bashir
| International
|
U.S. role seen in "deterrence" toward Iran
Pakistan issues sketches; no breakthrough on attack
| International
|
Clinton criticises Israel over E.Jerusalem demolition
Britney Spears Opens "Circus Tour" To Positive Reviews
Venezuela's Chavez seizes Cargill unit
| International
|
Afghan commission sets August presidential vote
Israeli air strike kills two Gaza militants
| International
|
US-Canada to discuss auto sector crisis
Iran urges world Muslim 'resistance' against Israel
Mexico army to take over policing in drug-hit city
| International
|
Former first lady Barbara Bush has open heart surgery
Clinton criticizes Iran as a threat in the Mideast
Dawn of record-low eurozone interest rates
Suicide bomber kills 3 in Baghdad
ICC issues war crimes warrant for Sudan's Beshir
Rugby coach Johnson's patience running out
Sudan revokes aid agency licenses
Kandahar security worsened in late 2008: Canada
| International
|
US private sector shed 697,000 jobs in February: ADP
Iraq eyeing WTO membership for boost to economy
China says ready to talk peace with Taiwan
| International
|
AIDS: Microbicide gel 'highly encouraging' in lab tests
'Albatross' gone, India offers hand to US
Brown urges US action on economy, climate change
WITNESS: Wildlife and radiation in evacuated Chernobyl zone
| International
|
Chavez to seize US rice subsidiary for 'flagrant violations'
U.S. role seen in deterrence toward Iran
| International
|
Obama Sends Letter To Russian President Urging Support Against Iran's Nuclear Developments
Mexico worried about getting less US anti-drug aid
As recession deepens, con artistry booms in Asia
| International
|
Woman Hospitalized After Being Shot At Florida City Wal-Mart
After Apology, GOP Chair Calls Tiff With Limbaugh 'A Side-Show Distraction'
Obama extends sanctions on Zimbabwe for one year
Obama Overhauls Government Contracting Rules; To Save $40 Billion Annually
YouTube topped 100 million US viewer mark in January: comScore
Venezuela wants to check up on US war on drugs
Amazon's Kindle e-books now on Apple iPhone, iPod
Kerry: Syrian leader wants peace talks with Israel
Spain PM an Internet star after F word slip-up
AMD, ATIC to build US semiconductor plant
Kyrgyzstan open to air base talks with U.S.
Google CEO doesn't foresee decline in revenue
| Technology
|
Apple's new Mac desktops offer speed, value
Canadian judge orders gov't to seek clemency in US
YouTube and Universal talk on music video site: sources
| Technology
|
Possible transfer to France for jailed woman: Calderon
Finnish parliament allows employers to monitor emails
Defence fails in bid to remove Khodorkovsky judge
Smart bubbly, corny USB sticks lead fair's gadget parade
Altimeter fault behind Turkish Airlines crash: official
KRouge defence removes documents from website
Watchmen looks to conquer mainstream audiences
| Entertainment
|
NKorea holds more talks with US-led forces
De Niro, Pacino sue over watch ads for movie
| Entertainment
|
Umpires slam Pakistan security after cricket attack
Law & Order star Hargitay hospitalized again
| Entertainment
|
DMC accentuates the positive in rap competition
South Korea and Australia announce security pact
Weather forecast for the Asia-Pacific region
China promises vigorous spending program
Tobias Wolff wins Story Prize for short fiction
| Entertainment
|
North Korea escalates rhetoric against South Korea
Osbournes gets plum debut after Idol
| Entertainment
|
China says support for NATO effort unlikely now
Malaysia tables 2.69 bln dlr spending plan
'Albatross' gone, India offers hand to US
S.Korea c.bank drains 16 trln won via 7-day repos
Anwar Malaysia sodomy trial moved to High Court
Taylor Swift among nominees for ACM top album
S.Korea extra budget won't hike mkt rates -fin min
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Pakistani cenbank sells 26 bln rupees of T-bills
S.Korea says undecided on H1 sovereign bond issuance
"Osbournes" gets plum debut after "Idol"
South Korea closely watching FX market
Tobias Wolff wins Story Prize for short fiction
Benicio del Toro meets Venezuela's Chavez
Vietnam's migrant workers return home as downturn bites
Michael Jackson to make London announcement
Philippine inflation picks up in February
"Law & Order" star Hargitay hospitalized again
Philippines February inflation rises to 7.3 pct
DA: Chris Brown expected in court Thursday
China says 8 percent growth possible in 2009
Review: `Watchmen' almost too faithful to book
Kirk Douglas, at age 92, stars in one-man show
Sudan expels aid agencies and defies Hague
Somali pirates free Egyptian ship
NATO resumes ties with Russia, Moscow welcomes move
| International
|
Police recommend charges against Israel's PM
Putin threatens to cut Ukraine gas supplies
| International
|
Ten killed in truck bombing at Iraqi market
Palestinian driver killed after tractor rams cars
| International
|
Footage raises new questions about Pakistan attack
Palestinian driver killed after Jerusalem rampage
North Korea warns South's airliners during drills
| International
|
China runs ahead with spending torch
NATO chief urges restart of top-level Russia talks
Afghan candidates say Karzai should stand aside
| International
|
German retail sales fall in January: statistics
Car bomb in south Iraq livestock market kills 12
| International
|
Car bomb in Iraq livestock market kills 12
Obama to open healthcare summit
Deal to cancel Gandhi glasses auction fails
Big French press find brand power helps online
| Technology
|
Obama to open healthcare summit
Clinton says 'time to move ahead' in relations with Russia
Obama extends Zimbabwe sanctions for 1 year
39 indicted in SKorean crackdown on digital theft
Congress may cut off spending on Mexican trucks
U.S. extends sanctions against Zimbabwe
Guadeloupe strike ends with pay rises
NATO chief to recommend resumption of ties with Russia
Guadeloupe strike ends after 44 days
Film Watchmen is treasure trove for philosophers
| Entertainment
|
Britney Spears puts on Circus for comeback tour
| Entertainment
|
Award-winning writer Horton Foote dead at 92
| Entertainment
|
Maldives bans reef shark hunting
Anti-surveillance filmmaker plans eye-socket camera
| Entertainment
|
India rejects deal to halt sale of Gandhi items
Japan, US warn NKorea against missile test-firing
Philippine police use street gangs to fight crime
Indian politicians lean on 'Slumdog' in campaigns
Militants bomb ancient shrine in Pakistan
China says ready to talk to Taiwan, end hostility
BBC: Kyrgyz president open to talks on US base
Fire at Japan nuke plant, no radiation leak: operator
North Korea warns South's airliners during drills
Michael Jackson sues auction house for sale plans
South Korea and Australia announce security pact
Taiwan: Early talks on China trade deal possible
Prince Charles named world's best dressed man
Pakistan's forex reserves fall to $10.14 bln
India rejects deal to halt sale of Gandhi items
China runs ahead with spending torch
Barbie bets on China with concept store
Toyota executive to appear before Obama auto panel
Crash helmets Nigerian-style: a tale of hygiene and black magic
Taiwan dollar hits 1-week high on China optimism
Film "Watchmen" is treasure trove for philosophers
Philippine central bank cuts key interest rates
Writers' festival offers insights into modern China
Sharp fall in Sri Lanka tea exports
Chinese director plans film on 1976 quake
Taiwan seeks foreign tie-up to help chip industry
Japan PM sees 'no bottom in sight' for sinking economy
US-TECH Summary
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights