US hands over 297 antiquities smuggled out of India
New Delhi (PTI): The US has handed over to India 297 antiquities, which were smuggled out of the country, during the ongoing visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, an official statement said on Sunday.
Official sources said illicit trafficking of cultural property is a longstanding issue that has affected many cultures and countries throughout history, and India has been particularly hit.
Modi said on X, "Deepening cultural connect and strengthening the fight against illicit trafficking of cultural properties. I am extremely grateful to President Biden and the US Government for ensuring the return of 297 invaluable antiquities to India."
He thanked President Joe Biden for his support in the return of these artefacts. He noted that these objects were not just part of India's historical material culture, but formed the inner core of its civilisation and consciousness, the statement said.
With this, the total number of ancient items recovered by India since 2014 has gone to 640, officials said, adding the number returned from the USA alone will be 578.
This is the maximum number of cultural artefacts returned by any country to India.
Some of the notable antiquities handed over to India include an 'apsara' in sandstone from central India belonging to 10-11th century CE, a Jain Tirthankar in bronze belonging to 15-16th century CE, terracotta vase from eastern India belonging to 3-4th century CE, and a stone sculpture from South India belonging to 1st century BCE-1st century CE.
Other prominent items include Lord Ganesh in bronze from south India belonging to 17-18th century CE, standing Lord Buddha in sandstone from north India from 15-16th century CE, and Lord Vishnu in bronze from Eastern India belonging to 17-18th century CE.
Apart from the current visit, the earlier visits of Modi to the USA have also been particularly fruitful in return of antiquities to India.
Officials said during his visit to the US in 2021, 157 antiquities were handed over by the US government, including the exquisite bronze Nataraja statue from the 12th century CE. Also, a few days after his US visit in 2023, 105 antiquities were returned to India.
India's successful recoveries extend beyond the USA, with 16 artefacts being returned from the UK, 40 from Australia among others, they noted.
In stark contrast only one artefact was returned to India between 2004 and 2013, they said.
Further, in July 2024, on the sidelines of the 46th World Heritage Committee, at New Delhi, India and the United States signed the first ever 'Cultural Property Agreement' to prevent and curb the illicit trafficking of antiquities from India to the USA.
The spectacular achievement over the last ten years demonstrates the government's resolve to reclaim India's stolen treasures and preserve its cultural heritage for future generations, they said.
Modi's personal bond with global leaders has played a pivotal role in securing these returns.
His proactive approach has led to the recovery of significant artefacts, including revered sculptures and idols, reaffirming India's cultural identity, they added.
The statement said in keeping with close bilateral ties and to foster greater cultural understanding, the US State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and the Archaeological Survey of India under Ministry of Culture had signed a Cultural Property Agreement in July 2024 to fulfil the commitments made by President Biden and Prime Minister Modi to enhance cooperation to protect cultural heritage.
A joint statement issued after their meeting in June 2023 reflected that, it added.
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68 year old woman sells everything for dream world cruise, Banned after complaints leak
Florida: A 68-year-old woman, who sold everything she owned to fund her dream of a luxurious three-year world cruise, has reportedly been banned from the journey after her private grievances were leaked, leading to claims that she was "impacting community morale."
Jenny Phenix shared with the Telegraph that she had sold her businesses and belongings over the past year and a half, eagerly looking forward to her new life cruising around the world.
Phenix, a divorced mother of two, had liquidated her businesses and possessions, eagerly anticipating her trip aboard the Villa Vie Odyssey. Since December 2023, she had been "living out of a suitcase," waiting for the ship's departure, which faced significant delays.
The problems started when the Villa Vie Odyssey was set to sail from Southampton, England, on May 15, but unforeseen issues during dry docking in Belfast, Ireland, caused delays. The ship had remained idle for four years due to the pandemic, which led to expired certifications that required the company to reapply.As a result, Phenix and the other passengers found themselves in a state of uncertainty for nearly four months.
With the passage of time, Phenix's frustration mounted, especially after it was revealed that the ship would no longer land at Miami, the city where she had planned to get the remainder of her possessions. Even worse, she was informed that the staff was still using her allocated cabin, so she would have to spend some of the trip in a makeshift one.She talked about the delays and unforeseen adjustments with other travelers in a WhatsApp group where she vented her emotions. However, these messages were forwarded to the ship's management, resulting in significant backlash.
This is the second time Phenix's dream to live on a cruise ship got shattered. She had previously booked a spot on the Life at Sea cruise, which was abruptly cancelled in November 2023 after the company failed to secure the ship, leaving her out $30,000 in deposits.
"I cannot even begin to explain the emotional devastation and the physical toll this has taken on me," she stated. "It is still very hard for me to discuss, as I had the same dream everyone else on that ship does, and they took that from me seemingly without a thought.I will have to stay with my daughter until I figure out a whole new plan for my life."
Kathy Villalba, the chief operating officer of Villa Vie, communicated to Phenix in a letter that her contract was being terminated due to "ongoing complaints and negativity." This situation had reportedly led to formal grievances from more than a dozen other passengers. The letter stated that her behavior had greatly affected the morale and well-being of fellow travelers."These were private conversations - I posted nothing on social media platforms," Phenix told the Telegraph.
Frustration grew among residents with each delay, and Phenix frequently voiced their concerns, receiving private thanks from others for her advocacy. Meanwhile, Mikael Petterson, CEO of Villa Vie Residences, stated to the Telegraph that Phenix had breached multiple terms and conditions despite signing a non-disclosure agreement.
