10 antiquities retrieved from Australia and USA were handed-over to the Government of Tamil Nadu on Wednesday in New Delhi. Union Minister of Culture, Tourism and Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) G Kishan Reddy attended the handing-over ceremony at Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts (IGNCA), New Delhi. Minister of State for Culture, Meenakshi Lekhi; Minister of State for Culture, Arjun Ram Meghwal and Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting, L Murugan. Officials from the Ministry of Culture, Archeological Survey of India, Ministry of External Affairs and Tamil Nadu government were also present on the occasion.
इस कार्यक्रम का माननीय संस्कृति मंत्री श्री @kishanreddybjp जी, माननीय संस्कृति राज्य मंत्री श्री @arjunrammeghwal जी, श्रीमती @M_Lekhi जी और माननीय पशुपालन मंत्री श्री @Murugan_MoS जी ने दीप जलाकर शुभारंभ किया।
— Ministry of Culture (@MinOfCultureGoI) June 1, 2022
Culture Minister Reddy said, “Over the last 8 years, the Government of India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken several steps to preserve our ancient civilisational ethos, Protect our cultural and spiritual heritage and Propagate Indian Knowledge systems and traditions across the world. Bringing our gods home is one such initiative that is rooted in preserving, promoting and propagating our heritage”.
The collection of antiquities handed over to the Tamil Nadu government included figurines- Dwarapala, Nataraja, Kankalamurti, Nadikeshvara, Four-armed Vishnu, Goddess Parvati, Siva and Parvati, Standing child Sambandar and Child Sambandar.
Handover of 10 antiquities to the state of #TamilNadu (2 stone idols; 8 metal idols), retrieved by the Indian Government is ongoing at @ignca_delhi
These idols have been retrieved in the past 1 year, 5 each, from the US and Australia. pic.twitter.com/LZtmk2jqzh
— Ministry of Culture (@MinOfCultureGoI) June 1, 2022
The Union Minister praised the efforts of the Central Government and highlighted the increase in the number of idols which have been repatriated since 2014. He said, “During the visit of our Hon’ble Prime Minister to the USA, 157 antiquities were returned to India which is being the largest single collection India got back so far. You would be aware that over the last 8 years the Government has brought back 228 heritage objects. Only 13 antiquities were brought back to India between Independence and 2013. Friends, the figures speak for themselves and reflect the importance this Government attaches to our heritage. With the sustained effort of the Government of India, and 228 antiquities being brought back since 2014, the total number has now become 241”.
He further added, “India is celebrating her 75th year of independence through Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. As India enters 25 years of Amrit Kaal, this is an opportunity to take the lead as a global protector of indigenous culture, traditions and heritage. This event and process of repatriating our stolen heritage will allow an open and honest conversation on decolonisation”.