Former President Pratibha Patil has returned all 155 gifts received by her official capacity after they were displayed at the museum run by Vidya Bharati Shaikshanik Mandal, run by Patil's family.
“155 gifts received by the former President, Pratibha Devisingh Patil in her official capacity were loaned to Vidya Bharati Shaikshanik Mandai, Amravati for display on a purely temporary basis. All 155 gift items have been returned to Rashtrapati Bhavan," Rashtrapati Bhavan said in a response to RTI application filed Subhash Agrawal.
Patil’s move to transfer the gifts from official treasury of gifts to a school museum had courted controversy in August last year. The President secretariat had asked school authorities to return the gifts by June 15, 2013.
President secretariat in its response said the gifts which includes medallion of Nelson Mandela, stone box presented by US President were loaned to Vidya Bharati Shaikshanik Mandal, Amravati as per MoU signed between Rashtrapati Bhawan and Vidya Bharati.
“As per material available on record, no gift items has been retained by the former president of India,” RTI reply said.
Rashtrapati Bhawan also received 36 artifacts which were handed over to DRDO during the presidency of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam for display in the Brahmos Centre.
“A Policy has been taken to henceforth display all items/ gifts received during the various Presidencies in the Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum itself,” Rashtrapati Bhawan Secretariat said.