India to acquire Mahatma Gandhi's personal belongings from New York.

February 27, 2009.

The government on Friday decided to ensure Mahatma Gandhi's personal belongings, including his famous metal rimmed glasses, do not go under the hammer in the United States next month and bring them back to the country.

There are five personal belongings of Gandhi in the list of auction proposed to be held on March 4-5 at the Anti quorum Auctioneers in New York including sandals, a pocket watch and some utensils. Union Culture Minister Ambika Soni told PTI that whatever can be done is being done to ensure that articles are not auctioned by involving all concerned stakeholders. She said that the Culture Ministry has arrived at the decision to intervene after extensive consultations with the Ministries of External Affairs, Home, Law and Finance.

Indian embassy in Washington and Consulate in New York have been told to actively pursue the matter.

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