New Delhi, Feb 27 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday informed that more than 200 precious idols were retrieved from several countries which were stolen and smuggled from the country. Speaking during ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme, he said, “Till 2013, only 13 idols were brought back to India. In the last seven years, our government brought back more than 200 idols. “In the past, many idols were stolen and taken out of India. It is our responsibility to bring them back to our country.
“These idols embody a part of the soul of India’s faith as well. They also have a cultural-historical significance.” Many countries such as America, Britain, Holland, France, Canada, Germany, Singapore have understood this sentiment of India and helped us to retrieve these idols, Modi added. Citing that few days back an idol of ‘Ma Annapurna Devi’ which was stolen from Kashi, was also brought back, the PM said, “This is an example of the changing global outlook towards India. ” Whenever any priceless heritage returns to the country, it is naturally a matter of great satisfaction for all of us as an Indian, he added.
