India received on Monday 105 smuggled antiques dating from at least the second to the 18th centuries that were recovered by US officials.
India’s Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu said that the return of the antiques follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Washington last month during which he had thanked President Joe Biden “for helping the return of the properties”.
“For us, these are not just art but part of our heritage, culture and religion. So when this lost heritage returns home, they will be received with a lot of emotion," he said.
About 50 of the antiques have religious significance for Hindus, Jains and Muslims, while the rest are of cultural value.
Officials from the Manhattan prosecutor’s office, which played the main role in recovering them, well as federal officials participated in the repatriation ceremony at India's Consulate General here when the antiques were handed over to Sandhu and Consul General Randhir Jaiswal.
Jordan Stockdale from the prosecutor’s office said, “We are excited to return those priceless treasures to you."
"We are deeply appreciative of Prime Minister Modi's kind words at the White House and they reflect the close collaboration, which has led to successful recovery for thousands of Indian antiquities," said Stockdale, who is the chief of staff of Prosecutor Alvin Bragg.
He said that he expected more of them to be returned to India. He said that some of the antiques were recovered from museums or other collections in New York, Chicago and elsewhere.
Stockdale said that many of the artifacts were smuggled to the US by Subash Kapoor, who ran an art gallery in New York, and his accomplices. Kapoor was sentenced last year by a court in Kumbakonam to a 10-year prison term for the theft of a religious statue from a temple.
He is also facing charges in New York, where some of his accomplices have been convicted.
Air India Express strike: Air India to operate on AIX 20 routes
The Tata-owned Air India will operate 20 Air India Express (AIX) routes to help the latter amid an ongoing strike by cabin crew members, said an airline official on Thursday.
Tripura CM urges Railway Minister to resume train services hit by landslides in Assam
“The Chief Minister is personally monitoring the situation. He has asked the state officials to maintain close contact with the NFR engineers and officials to know the progress of the ongoing work,” an official said.
CCTV pictures of suspected terrorists behind Poonch attack surface
In the attack on the two-vehicle IAF convoy at Surankote tehsil in Poonch district, one air warrior named Corporal Vikky Pahade was killed, while four other IAF personnel were injured.
CMs of northeastern states slam Sam Pitroda's colour of citizens' remark, demand apology
Several Chief Ministers and leaders from the northeastern states condemned Congress leader Sam Pitroda's remark on the 'colour of citizens' and demanded his apology.
Students, faculties of BTVM observes Rabindra Jayanti
The Bhavan's Tripura Vidya Mandir on Wednesday observed Rabindra Jayanti in remembrance of world poet Rabindranath Tagore's birthday, where students and faculties of both the shifts participated.
Rajasthan resident held in state with cannabis worth Rs 1 lakh
A joint operation by the Government Railway Police (GRP) and Railway Protection Force (RPF) recovered 25 kg of ganja from Agartala railway station and arrested one person hailing from Rajasthan.
CM to campaign for BJP candidates in West Bengal on May 09
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha is set to actively participate in campaigning on May 09 for BJP candidates in the Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal, as confirmed by party sources today.
Congress wants to snatch reservation from backward classes and give it to Muslims: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday alleged that the Congress wants to bring a legislation to snatch reservations for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Backward Classes (BCs) and give them to Muslims.