"The Idol Thief" book is a true account of events around the idols theft and smuggling. It is such a heavy subject, but the author has made this book very gripping and interesting. The book that starts with the invasion and attempt by the priests to save the murtis in the 11th century CE. Then, it unfolds to the current affairs of the idol smugglers, their network, their methods, the involvement of few authorities and ultimately the attempt by an US law enforcement officer with the help of a team of volunteers including the author, to arrest the culprits and bring back the idols to India. It is no lesser than a suspense thriller.
All of us go to temples. Only some of us pay attention to the iconography. Only very few among those few people realize when some idols go missing in the temples that we visit regularly. Even if we come to know about such thefts, what do we do about that? Cribbing and blaming! Nothing more! No initiative. After reading this book, we feel ashamed for not taking any initiative to prevent such thefts. We would definitely get motivated to do something to preserve our heritage.
We hardly get to find some articles about idol smuggling in our newspapers. Only after reading this book, we could understand the magnitude of this illegal industry and their international network. We have been ignorant to the fact that thousands and thousands of stone and metal icons were smuggled outside our country. It is alarming to know the rate and scale at which they disappear from our land. When we realize this after reading this book, it makes our blood boil.
I will buy many copies of this book and gift to my friends and relatives on their birthdays and other special occasions. I feel it is a book that should be read by every Indian who loves his/her country and heritage.
The author ends the book with a loud message - "There are Indians who are proud of their heritage and who will fight you tooth and nail. And we can't be swayed by your inducements."
"Not every Indian is for sale."
All of us go to temples. Only some of us pay attention to the iconography. Only very few among those few people realize when some idols go missing in the temples that we visit regularly. Even if we come to know about such thefts, what do we do about that? Cribbing and blaming! Nothing more! No initiative. After reading this book, we feel ashamed for not taking any initiative to prevent such thefts. We would definitely get motivated to do something to preserve our heritage.
We hardly get to find some articles about idol smuggling in our newspapers. Only after reading this book, we could understand the magnitude of this illegal industry and their international network. We have been ignorant to the fact that thousands and thousands of stone and metal icons were smuggled outside our country. It is alarming to know the rate and scale at which they disappear from our land. When we realize this after reading this book, it makes our blood boil.
I will buy many copies of this book and gift to my friends and relatives on their birthdays and other special occasions. I feel it is a book that should be read by every Indian who loves his/her country and heritage.
The author ends the book with a loud message - "There are Indians who are proud of their heritage and who will fight you tooth and nail. And we can't be swayed by your inducements."
"Not every Indian is for sale."
