NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi started his fourth visit to the US by paying homage to Indian-American astronaut Kalpana Chawla at the Arlington National Cemetery in Washington along with receiving over 200 stolen artifacts, some dating 2000 years ago. Earlier in the day, PM Modi laid a wreath at the Tomb of Unknown Soldiers.
He also had a brief interaction with Kalpana Chawla’s husband and family members, senior officials from NASA, Indian-American astronaut Sunita Williams and her father at Space Shuttle Columbia Memorial.
He spoke with Sunita’s father in Gujarati and invited them to visit India. “With health permitting, I definitely look forward to visiting India,” her father said.
“Honouring sacrifice, saluting valour. Formal engagements begin with a solemn ceremony,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted. “In homage to heroism and indomitable courage,” another tweet read. Later, describing the cultural heritage as a great binding force in bilateral relationship, the US returned over 200 stolen cultural artifacts, estimated at $100 million.
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, 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.
“Usually relationships between the countries of the world is very often covered by the present. It is present that plays a big role, but sometimes heritage becomes important in the relations of two countries. Sometimes what cannot be done by living persons is done by idols,” the Prime Minister said at a ceremony held at the Blair House. Speaking in Hindi, the Prime Minister said that in the last two years various countries have endeavoured to return India’s stolen cultural heritage.
“Both governments and law enforcement agencies of these countries have become more alert on trafficking of cultural artifacts and are not only working to prevent it but also to send them back to the place of origin,” he added.
Chennai relic worth $1.5 million among returned
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, 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.