I’ll gift Gandhi memorabilia to government: Vijay Mallya

July 11th, 2009 GANDHINAGAR - Gujarat Health Minister Jay Narayan Vyas Saturday rebuked liquor baron Vijay Mallya who had suggested the state review its prohibition policy after illicit liquor claimed at least 136 lives in Ahmedabad this week. "This is an internal matter of the Gujarat government and Mr.

March 22nd, 2009 BANGALORE - Industrialist Vijay Mallya, who bought the belongings of Mahatma Gandhi for 1.8 million dollar at an auction in New York, has sought government's approval for waiver of import duty on the memorabilia of historical value and national sentiments. Taking to mediapersons here on Saturday, Mallya said that he is waiting for necessary permissions from the government to bring the memorabilia back on the Indian soil.

March 20th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The owner of the IPL franchise Bangalore Royals, Vijay Mallya, on Thursday backed the tournament to pass off smoothly. Addressing reporters here, Mallya said India had all the resources required to provide security during the tournament.

March 20th, 2009 LUCKNOW - Hurt by the recent auction of her grandfather Mahatma Gandhi's memorabilia in New York, renowned human rights activist Ela Gandhi has stressed the need to enact laws to prevent such auctions. Based in Durban, South Africa, the former MP in that country has made it her mission to promote Gandhian philosophies.

March 16th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The five personal belongings of Mahatma Gandhi that were auctioned off in New York on February 5, is likely to take some more time to reach India as the government is yet to solve the legalities involved with the US Justice Department. "Government is still pursuing with its earlier stand that the auction is illegal as per the will of Gandhi and the injunction of Delhi High Court with US Justice Department," a senior official in the Culture Ministry said.

March 9th, 2009 NEW YORK - He was only 10 when he garlanded Mahatma Gandhi in Assam. More than six decades later, Canada-based Himadri Shekhar Roy hasn't forgotten that fleeting moment and was one of those who last week bid for Gandhi's possessions.

March 7th, 2009 WASHINGTON - US collector James Otis has offered to donate a few more of Mahatma Gandhi's belongings to India provided New Delhi agrees to his proposal to substantially increase its spending on healthcare for the poor. 'I have other Gandhi belongings.

March 7th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Liquor baron Vijay Mallya, who acquired Mahatma Gandhi's memorabilia at an auction in New York with a $1.8 million (Rs. 93.18 million) bid, Friday said he would gift the items to the government though he has not been contacted by Indian officials for this.

March 7th, 2009 NEW YORK/NEW DELHI - Days of high drama over the auction of Gandhi's memorabilia in New York ended on a triumphant note for India as business tycoon Vijay Mallya put in a bid of $1.8 million, winning not only the five heritage items but also gushing praise from Indians young and old. Gandhi's steel-rimmed spectacles, a pair of sandals, a Zenith pocket watch, an eating bowl and a plate were put under the hammer, as scheduled, by Antiquorum Auctioneers in New York Thursday despite an outcry by Indians, mounting Indian government pressure and even a reported change of heart on the part of the US collector to auction the items.

March 6th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Asserting that Vijay Mallya bought Mahatma Gandhi's belongings in an auction in New York in conjunction with the Indian government, Union Tourism Minister Ambika Soni said here Friday that it will be a while before the items are handed over to the tycoon. 'The UPA (United Progressive Alliance) government has successfully bought the personal items gifted by Mahatma Gandhi to a person during his lifetime.

March 6th, 2009 AHMEDABAD - The successful bid for Mahatma Gandhi's belongings by tycoon Vijay Mallya and the return of the relics to India is 'a great moment of pride for every Indian', the Sabarmati Ashram's director Amrutbhai Modi said here Friday. 'It is a great moment of pride for every Indian that finally the personal belongings of Gandhiji have been won in an auction by Vijay Mallya and the same are being brought to India,' Modi told IANS.

March 6th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Although disappointed that the auction of Gandhi's memorabilia went through as scheduled in New York, Indians, young and old, were elated that the Mahatma's personal belongings will finally find their way back home. 'We tried our best.

March 6th, 2009 NEW YORK - Amid high drama, a set of Mahatma Gandhi's personal belongings including his iconic round-rimmed spectacles were sold for $1.8 million at an auction in New York Thursday to Indian liquor tycoon Vijay Mallya. Tony Bedi placed the winning bid at New York's Antiquorum Auctioneers auction house despite protests in India and an injunction from Delhi High court seeking to halt the sale.

March 6th, 2009 NEW YORK - Despite intense protests from Indian government, a set of Mahatma Gandhi's personal items were sold for $1.8 million at an auction in New York Thursday. However, the US justice department has asked the New York's Antiquorum Auctioneers auction house to hold the lot for two weeks pending a resolution between the new owner, and the US and Indian governments.

January 13th, 2009 NEW DELHI - There is a mix of machismo and sensuality in the inaugural edition of the Vijay Mallya-owned Force India Formula One 2009 calendar promising an adrenaline rush. With a combination of speed and beauty, the calendar features models Shruti Agarwal, Monikangkana Datta and Sheetal Menon sharing space with Force India Formula One drivers Adrian Sutil and Giancarlo Fisichella.