NEW DELHI: The Indian government procured the five personal articles of Mahatma Gandhi at a New York auction through the services of industrialist Vijay Mallya as it could not bid directly because of a stay order of the Delhi High Court, Culture Minister Ambika Soni said today.
The priceless items were procured through the services of an Indian Vijay Mallya and his representative was in touch with us through the Indian Consulate in New York, she told a press conference here. Soni said the memorabilia, including the iconic metal-rimmed glasses of the Mahatma were acquired in close cooperation between her department and the External Affairs Ministry.