Year after theft, replicas welcome

Recalling his visit to Santiniketan 50 years ago, Natwar Singh said: ‘‘This is a place of humane values. It is also a seat of modern education, which has been consistently doing well.’’

Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee described the occasion as painful and joyous. While he regretted that ‘‘we failed to protect’’ the national property, he said the issuing of replicas to the museum was a happy occasion. Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee said the theft was a national shame.

Nobel laureate economist Amartya Sen, who was present on the occasion, expressed happiness. He, however, revived a debate. ‘‘Gandhiji was one of the most eligible candidates for the Nobel Peace Prize. But, the Swedish Academy did not take note of him,’’ he said.

Fogh praised Tagore’s role in inspiring the Indian freedom movement. ‘‘The 1913 Nobel prize was a big recognition for India. And Tagore was instrumental in inspiring a whole generation of freedom fighters. The value system that he had fostered, still continues to cast its impact on the people,’’ he said.