The United States returned more than 200 cultural artefacts
estimated to be at $100 million (Rs 668 crore) to India at Cultural
Repatriation ceremony in Washington attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
PM Modi speaking on this occassaion said, “When it comes to
bilateral ties, it is the present that usually counts but heritage can be a
great binding force too. For some, these artefacts may be measured in monetary
terms but for us this is beyond that. It's a part of our culture & heritage.”
Both governments and law enforcement agencies of these
countries now have become more alert on trafficking of cultural artifacts and
are not only working to prevent it but also to send it back to the place of its
origin," the PM added.
Modi said many tourists don't want to see only modern sites.
They want to see the rich history a place offers and historical culture.
Items returned included religious statues, bronzes and terra
cotta pieces, some dating back 2,000 years, looted from some of India’s most treasured
religious sites. Among the pieces
returned is a statue of Saint Manikkavichavakar, a Hindu mystic and poet from
the Chola period (circa 850 AD to 1250 AD) stolen from the Sivan Temple in
Chennai, India, which is valued at $1.5 million. Also included in the collection is a bronze
sculpture of the Hindu god Ganesh estimated to be 1,000 years old.
US Attorney General Loretta E Lynch in her remarks said, “that
this repatriation will serve as a sign of our great respect for India’s
culture; our deep admiration for its people; and our sincere appreciation for
the ties between our nations.
“They represent India’s rich heritage – the imagination of
its thinkers and the skill of its artists; the beauty of its land and the
vitality of its people; the endurance of its religions and the influence of its
philosophies. And so they belong in
India, with the Indian people – and today, that is where they are headed. Today, more than 200 antiquities and cultural
artifacts that speak to India’s astounding history and beautiful culture are
beginning their journey home, where they can be studied and reflected upon for
generations to come,” she further added.
She said the items
were recovered as a result of an investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration
and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the
work of the US Attorneys’ Offices, and the Department of Justice’s Office of
International Affairs.
“Protecting the cultural heritage of our global community is important work and we are committed to identifying and returning these priceless items to their countries of origin and rightful owners,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson.
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