Gandhi card

Otis has told govt of India that he will return the Gandhi valuables to India if govt is ready to accept his demand of allocating an amount of GDP to health care of poor and help spread Gandhian values through its embassy in 78 countries. This is nothing short of a blackmail. The Govt i feel should openly call this a blackmail and tell him that with the world's forth largest army and good diplomatic relations with over 200 countries we are in a better position if the name of the game is blackmail.


I feel the Govt should officially request all Indians not to bid for the items. Its like paying a toll to the neighbor for bringing you car into your compound through your gate. If Otis, is so much worried about the poor then why does he not declare that he will donate all the money that comes from the auction to charity in India. Otis is just going through a publicity stunt and our worthless Government is playing ball. I heard the government offered Antiquorium the base price ie $30000. I feel that's a mistake, we should tell them that we will make life hell for them if it goes under hammer just like the Chinese government told Cristie. Also, we have been crying out loud with a big drum over last 4-5 years about our good relationship with United States of America. Well, this is one opportunity for USA to prove that they really value our relationship. Our Prime Minister proclaimed that we love President Bush (i voted him to rule me, that does not but allow to decide whom I love and whom I don't), so let Obama prove how much he loves us.

Also, congress would really love to acquire this Gandhian valuables. Especially with polls round the corner. A good and stern government would rather say that "anybody can hold the Gandhian valuables, but we Indians hold the values" and that would end everything.


On a long term perspective, India China and other countries like Egypt should join hands to fight the fantasies of west to play with our past. India I believe should pass a legislation that would register all these antiques as stolen. Not just those put on the hammer, but any Indian valuable of National Importance. The Indian legal system should be able to register and persue legal action against sellers like Otis and facilitators like Antiquorium. The first case should be registered against the Monarch of United Kingdom for theft of Kohinoor diamond and the Peacock throne.

But immediately, the government should not give opportunity for Antiquorium and Otis to set up publicity stunts and increase the values of these goods but pursue silent diplomatic channels. But any concession or meeting of demands with Otis would be considered as paying ransom, in the mind of educated Indians. It belongs to us, we should not be paying for it. Its as simple as that.

Its not the valuables of Gandhi but values of Gandhi that we should hold on to. It will make our country better, unite us more and ensure that no more 26 11 2008 passes right in front of our eyes and we sit at homes glued to television rather than go out and make a difference.

26 11 2008. Lest We Forget.