The Hindu : Tagore's Nobel Prize medallion, art objects stolen

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Mar 26, 2004

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Tagore's Nobel Prize medallion, art objects stolen

By Malabika Bhattacharya

KOLKATA, MARCH 25. In one of the most audacious burglaries in recent times in the country, Rabindranath Tagore's Nobel Prize medallion, the citation, memorabilia and art objects, all priceless, were stolen from the Tagore museum at the Uttarayan complex in Shantiniketan, 200 km from Kolkata.

The Rabindranath Memorial Museum in Bichitra, one of the six houses of the Uttarayan complex, now wears a bare look with each one of Tagore's effects, including his Nobel Prize medallion, the citation, his paintings, gold ring, gold pocket watch, wife Mrinalini Devi's Baluchari sari and gold bangles, silver utensils, a peg measure, even his shoes, stolen. Tagore received the Nobel Prize in 1913 for literature.

"We are shocked at this burglary," said Sujit Basu, Vice-Chancellor of Visva Bharati.

The university has informed its Chancellor, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Visitor, President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and its Rector, the West Bengal Governor, Viren J. Shah.

The burglary was discovered by the museum caretaker at 10.15 a.m. . The museum had been closed since Tuesday noon, police said.

The culprits used a rope to climb on the window to the first floor museum.

They opened the window grill and entered the room.

They did not even break the glasses that showcased the artifacts. They broke open the lock and emptied the glasscase.

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