Amid tensions with Iran, America has returned 657 ancient artefacts to India, whose total value is about 14 million dollars. Alvin Bragg, District Attorney of the American state of Manhattan, has announced the return of this artefact. This step taken by the American side is being considered a major achievement in the fight against international art trafficking. These artefacts returned to India were recovered during the investigation into the network of notorious dealer Subhash Kumar and convicted smuggler Nancy Weiner.

What were included in the artefacts returned by the Americans?

The main artefacts returned to India by the US include a 12th century bronze statue of Avalokiteshvara, which is estimated to be worth $2 million. It was stolen from a museum in Raipur and smuggled to America by 1982. At the same time, another important artefact was looted from North India. This is a red sandstone Buddha statue worth seven million dollars. Apart from this, the dancing idol of Lord Ganesha which was stolen from Madhya Pradesh in the year 2000 is also included in this.

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Consul General of India praised US officials

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg stressed that there is still more work to be done to return India’s cultural heritage. At the same time, Consul General of India in New York Binaya Pradhan has appreciated the cooperation of Manhattan District Attorney Office and American Homeland Security.

India had convicted Subhash Kapoor in 2022

Notorious dealer Subhash Kapoor was convicted in the year 2022, who is currently awaiting extradition. His smuggling network is linked to the illegal looting and sale of thousands of artefacts in South Asia. The Antiquities Trafficking Unit has so far recovered more than 6,200 cultural heritage sites, valued at $485 million, and most of which have been returned to 36 different countries.

What did Zohran Mamdani say about Kohinoor?

Amidst the return of hundreds of artefacts to India from the American side, Indian-origin New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has given a statement regarding the return of the Kohinoor diamond. He said he would encourage King Charles III of the United Kingdom to return the Kohinoor diamond.

Addressing a press conference on Wednesday (April 29, 2026), Mamdani said, ‘If I get a chance to talk to the King separately, I will probably ask him to return the Kohinoor diamond.’

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Who does not know Chef Vikas Khanna and his restaurant Bungalow? Recently, a video of him is going viral on social media in which he is hosting Iftar for New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani in his restaurant. Along with this, he has also written an emotional message along with the video in which a 25 year old story has been narrated.

New York Mayor breaks fast at Vikas Khanna’s restaurant

Actually, recently an Iftar dinner was organized in New York at Chef Vikas Khanna’s Bungalow Restaurant. City Mayor Zohran Mamdani also arrived on this occasion. During this, Zoharan Mamdani broke the fast in a traditional way with dates which reminded Vikas Khanna of 25 years ago. While sharing the video of his meeting with Zohran, Vikas Khanna wrote…”This is the year 2001, when I first met Zohran Mamdani.

At that time I was going through a difficult time. Some time back I had come out of homelessness and left a very bad job and started working at Salaam Bombay restaurant in Tribeca. I loved the name of this restaurant because it was from my favorite movie “Salaam Bombay!” “, which was made by famous filmmaker Mira Nair.”

Vikas Khanna made an emotional post

Vikas Khanna further wrote….”One day Mira Nair came to the restaurant with her little 8 year old son Zohran. Mira was one of the most helpful and supportive people I met in New York. Over time we kept in touch and I even got a chance to cook at some of her events and today, 25 years later, I got the chance to cook again for the same little child who has now become a big leader shaping the future of New York City.

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Users praised both of them fiercely.

As soon as the video went viral on social media, it was seen by millions of people and many people also liked it. Now internet users are giving different types of reactions regarding the video. One user wrote… Happy to see my two favorite persons in the same frame. Another user wrote…Mamdani and Vikas sir both are simple personalities. So another user wrote…what’s the matter, wish long life for both of you.

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