Alcohol tycoon donates Gandhi's £1.3m spectacles to the nation
With a business empire built on alcohol and a reputation for being the 'King of Good Times', Vijay Mallya's life couldn't be further removed from that of Mahatma Gandhi.
But he was hailed a hero in India after vowing to donate the independence leader's spectacles, sandals and watch to the nation after buying them for $1.8 million (£1.3m) at a New York auction.
The owner of United Breweries, whose flagship brand in Kingfisher beer, and Kingfisher Airlines said that he had taken a personal decision to buy the items amid huge outrage in India over the sale.
In conflicting statements, the Indian Culture Minister Ambika Soni claimed that the Indian Government had "procured the items through the services of an Indian, Vijay Mallya." Mallya stated that his purchase of the items had had nothing to do with politicians in New Delhi.
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But he was hailed a hero in India after vowing to donate the independence leader's spectacles, sandals and watch to the nation after buying them for $1.8 million (£1.3m) at a New York auction.
The owner of United Breweries, whose flagship brand in Kingfisher beer, and Kingfisher Airlines said that he had taken a personal decision to buy the items amid huge outrage in India over the sale.
In conflicting statements, the Indian Culture Minister Ambika Soni claimed that the Indian Government had "procured the items through the services of an Indian, Vijay Mallya." Mallya stated that his purchase of the items had had nothing to do with politicians in New Delhi.