01 March,2009 10:41 AM IST | | Agencies
The Indian Embassy in Washington and the consulate in New York have been asked to initiate talks with the auctioneers of Mahatma Gandhi's artefacts to stop the sale.
Five personal belongs of Mahatma Gandhi - a pocket watch, spectacles, sandals, bowl and plate - are up for auction March 4-5 in New York.
Amid mounting pressure the government has said it is "exploring all options" to prevent this.
"The culture ministry is exploring all options to stop these items from being auctioned. We are taking all steps to bring the items back to India soon," a senior ministry official told a news agency.u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0
There has been a lot of pressure on the Indian government from Gandhians and concerned citizens to intervene in the matter.u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0
"The ministry will soon arrive at a decision as the auction dates are very near," the official added. u00a0 u00a0 u00a0
Gandhi's great grandson Tushar Gandhi welcomed the government's decision to intervene.u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0
"I am overjoyed that the government is taking steps to stop the auction of Gandhian artefacts. They belong to the people of India and should be brought back to India for people to see them," Tushar Gandhi told the news agency.u00a0
