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Just before the auction, owner of the items James Otis had agreed to withdraw them from the auction but the auction house did not agree. It argued that it could have a big liability if it allowed the items to be withdrawn from the auction as more than 30 bidders had already registered for them and some have even sent in written bids.
As soon as the auctioneer announced sold, a large number of Indian-Americans who had come to witness the auction or to bid burst into loud round of applause. The auction activity was suspended for several minutes as the community leaders congratulated each other.
The community leaders expressed relief that the promise of keeping Gandhi's iconic items, including his glasses, sandals, pocket watch, plate and a bowl, in India has been fulfilled.
But the sale would take two weeks to finalise. The items would be kept with the Auctioneer for two weeks to resolve any claims.
Tony Bedi, who bidded on behalf of Mallya said that he was "bidding for the country" and this sale means that Gandhi's items would now return to India.
The US Justice Department, whose intervention was sought by the Indian government to implement the injunction issued by the Delhi High Court against auction of Gandhi's belongings, had earlier sent a notice to Antiquorum Auctioneers that items be not transferred to the buyer and kept in escrow account until it takes a view on the Indian request. But it had allowed the auction go on.
Just before Gandhi's items went under hammer, the auctioneer explained the position and said it plans to keep the items for two weeks pending the decision of the Justice Department.
Mallya's move came as a total surprise as his name was never mentioned among those who might bid for the items. The bid on the floor was made by his representative Bedi and it was not until the auction was over that the liquor baron's name surfaced to the surprise of everyone present.
One of the bidders was a South African, who was very much interested in the items. Bids were received over the phone and Internet from overseas. None of the bidders were identified.
So much interest was aroused that the auctioneers showed a small clip of Gandhi's everyday activities before bringing his belongings to auction. And the bid increased so fast that it was impossible to keep track.
Within three minutes, the bid had reached USD one million. After that it slowed downed a bit but picked pace against. Once it reached USD 1.8 million, the person auctioning the items waited for quite a while before bringing down the hammer.
Originally, Antiquorum Auctioneers had fixed the base price of the items between USD 20,000 and 30,000 but the media hype and interest shown by the Indian government helped to shoot up the prices and bid itself began around USD 300,000.
After the auction, Chairman of the auction house Robert Maron expressed satisfaction that the items would go back to India and explained his position as to why the auction
could not be stopped.
For hours before the auction started, Indian American leaders had consultations on the strategy at the Indian Consulate here with top Indian diplomats including
Consul General Prabhu Dayal.
Talking to reporters, Sant Singh Chatwal, a leading hotelier and community leader who took lead in the negotiations, said it was decided that Indians would not bid against one another as it would have sent up the price.
It was decided that Mallya would bid for the items, Chatwal said, adding he had been in touch with him throughout.
Chatwal too had shown interest in bidding for the items and repeatedly asserted that Indian American would not allow them to be bought by a private collector.
During the auction process, Chatwal and Bedi were sitting side by side and were seen consulting often.
Confusion over whether Otis could take the items off the hammer prevailed with contradictory statements being made by him. He had made a proposal with tough conditions to the Indian government on Wednesday which, analysts said, were impossible for New Delhi accept.
But even in the unlikely event of India accepting Otis' proposal, in all probability, the auction still could not have been stopped in view of the position taken by the auctioneers and in terms of contract signed by him with them.
Though Otis' lawyer Ravi Batra said he would not take any action for auctioneers going ahead with the auction despite his last minute bid to stop it, the Antiquorum officials assert that Otis has no case once he has handed over the items to them for sale under the contact signed by him.
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we all Indian are thanking to vijay malya to bring back the property of Mahatma Gandhi in India.
Mr. Vijay Mallya is great person. kyoki unhone desh ki Ijjat bachayee hai.
Can I discuss something about antique jewelry with Dr. Vijay Mallya
DR.vijay mallya ur simply superb bcos even though others have hell lot of money in thier bags they didn't turn up for the auction but you did and saved our nation's pride.. no more words just one word "simply superb" fantastic achievement.. and m a big big fan of u and hats off to u sir..
VijayMalya, You deserve great praise for being an Indian and an Indian buying the property of Mahatma Gandhi come what may and what be the price. It is a great mind that indulges in such ventures. May you imbibe the virtues of Gandhi atleast in part.
You are a Magician... I want to bring some good ideas in your knowledge to be a part of that Magic...hi sir i have an one copper plat i shall it please help me
Vijay Mallaya, is known today as Philanthropist, who is doing good to so many hearts.Does anyone know that this same Vijay Mallaya has stolen crores of rupees from general public in 1996. he has refused to pay back loans he took from General Public. Why should he hide himself from being a robber? Why doesnt he answer to so many of us, who believed him and his company UB Group.
Millions of thanks to Vijay. Indian government and its currept indians politicians, Bollywood film actors did nothing to bring gandhi's belongings. Politicians make billions of dollars in india and actors collect trilions of dollars from concerts show abroad, they talks a lot about india but do nothing, we as common people can do much but those are rich they can do a lot. However, I am happy that things will go back to india soon, Another lesson india should tke it from that no such valuable things shold be smuglled overseas. I am sorry and in pain that no one can forward except Mallaya to rescue from such a great insult of india, My salute to Vijaya, he got real good motherland spirit- jai hind
Respected Sir,We are really proud of you and thank you for accentuating Indian heritage and culture."Om Sri Sairam Gurudeva DattaRegards,Sathesh
Gandhi was always for poor. His soul would have appreciated if that much money was spent to bring happiness in the lives of few hundred poor people instead of paying this money to rich people. Now they will use more money to promote illegal smuggling of historical things out of India so that they can make more money in future.
One more thing, why not Shri.Tushar Gandhi and other people who made a lot of noise for Gandhi's belongings, start a movement to train Indian children to collect collectibles including freedom fighters and many other subjects. If they do this, I’m sure in near future a new crop of Indian people will be ready to honor our treasure of Antiquities, Collectibles and memorabilia of Gandhi and other freedom fighters. In foreign countries from child hood many people collect these collectibles; they have many associations, Societies, Collectors clubs, News papers/magazines on antiques and collectibles.I hope some one including Shri Tushar Gandhi listen my voice and will do best for India and India treasures.
This very nice that Shri Vijay Mallya bought Gandhi's belongings and he paid very high price for these items, Here I want to say, if Shri. Tusahr Gandhi has been kept his movement confidence to bring Gandhi's belongings back to India by bidding, he should suggest to Indian antiques and collectible lovers to bid Gandhi's belongings. I’m sure that a lot of money could be saved of our Indian antique/collectible lovers like Shri Mallya. Shri Mallya is pride of India. Due to big publicity of these items, items have been bought at very very high price.
CONGRATULATIONS TO VIJAY MALYA FOR THE PATRIOTIC WORK OF PURCHASING GANDHI's PROPERTIES. CONGRESS IS ONLY BOASTING OF MAHATMA AND NO RESPECT. THIS SHOWS WHAT TYPE OF POWER GREEDY, CORRUPT POLITICIANS WE HAVE IN CONGRESS. B S GANESH
Great Vijay Malliya has done a noble job in bringing Baapu's belongings to India.He should be lauded for his efforts.Only cynical shall attribute any motives to his great service to the Nation.The Congress should have been in the forefront for this job of rescuing and securing Pujya Baapu's belongings as the claim Baapu's legacy and are encashing his name or votes and power.Alas! none of the congress biggies and their followers cared to secure the items.
Thanks a lot vijay ji. I'm really proud of you. How in the world can that amrican guy got gandhiji's stuff. Shame to the government which cant even stop the buid. Once again thanks to vijay Malya.
Just goes to show that" Pub culture" has its positve side.Thanks to all those who have contributed to the "tainted money "used to buy back Gandhi Items.Hapy pubbing!!
Delighted to know that the drama had a happy ending for India and all Indians. But the irony is that we had to use the help of money that was earned through sale of liquor which Mahatma always opposed. Mahatma are you hearing?
Congrats to Vijay Mallya.
I wholeheartedly join millions of Indians congratulating Shri Vijay Mallya in bringing Gandhi's belongings back to India, which will be donated for public display. Memorabilia contain ,amongst other items, the plate and the bowl last used by Mahatma and the pocket Zenith watch given to him by Indira Gandhi
Now that Otis has $1.8 million, can we expect him to spend 5% of that on charity just as he wanted India to spend 5% of GDP on charity?
Congratulations India! No matter who has rescued the belongings of Gandhiji, its important that the belongings came back to India. Thanks to Vijay Mallya!
"He Ram" is written on Gandhiji's Samadhi. Ram attacked Ravana to free Sitaji, what would have happened if he would have sat on Satyagraha at Rameshwaram? His followers who led India later - made us look fools and beggars. Well done Vijay!!
What a fate of Gandhiji's belongings- A diehard prohibitonist- his items brought by diehard antiprohibitinist.Follwers of Gandhiji should think.
We should thank Vijay Malya that he has saved India,s esteem. This congress men Knows only to wear the Khadi dress and ask for the Votes in the Name of Mahtma Gandhi and when it come to save the belongings of Mahatma no one come ahead Neither Soniya nor Rahul Gandhi who is frequently seen in Khadi Dress . This is good slap by Mr Vijay Malya on Congress Face. Whatever business he is doing by he has not forgat that he also ows something to this country Salute to this Great man
We Indians should be extremely thankful to Mr. Vijay Mallaya for saving honour of India by successfully bidding for Gandhiji’s belongings. What is the use of Ambanibrothers/Azim Premji and others moneybags being proud of their names occurring in top hundred richest men of the world? They cannot think beyond their small selves!