Antony donates gifts to Kerala museum

Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 27 (IANS) Defence Minister A.K. Antony, known for his simple lifestyle and clean image, has donated the gifts and mementoes he's received since he became minister to the Kerala State Museum here.

Kerala Culture Minister M.A. Baby Saturday morning received over 100 gifts and mementoes from Antony on behalf of the museum at the air force station near the Thiruvananthapuram international airport.

The prized possessions that Antony has given away include a replica of Sukhoi 30, an ivory dagger presented by a UAE minister, a Buddhist trumpet and several other unique artefacts he has received from visiting ministers from countries like Singapore, South Korea, South Africa and Malaysia to name a few.

Antony had donated many gifts while he was Kerala chief minister too.

Baby said he was elated to receive these gifts and announced that a committee would be set up to see that the mementoes are preserved.

The culture minister said that Antony did not want any function or ceremony to officially hand over the items.

'Antony just wanted to hand over these gifts. I said that it should be done at a function because people should know about it,' Baby told IANS.

Antony has always been known for his spartan lifestyle and staying away from luxury.

A recent book by K.V. Thomas, a senior Congress legislator who was a member in the Antony cabinet from 2001-04, even went on to say that the minister was at times a miser and stickler for rules.