And then the State stepped in ...

[jimpeel]

While the treasure was being kept by the trust it was safe and no one knew its value. Now the state is involved and, like James Marshall who shouted "Gold!" at Sutter's Mill, the word is now out and new security measures have to be put in place along with a cadre of security guards. Funny how every time the state gets involved everything goes to Hell in a hand basket.

Note how the headline states that the treasure was "found." The trust knew where it was all along.

I wonder if they will find Mowgli in there.

SOURCE

'Billions worth' of treasure found in Indian temple

A treasure trove of gold and silver jewelry, coins and precious stones said to be worth billions of dollars has been found in a Hindu temple in southern India, officials said on Saturday.

The valuables have an estimated preliminary worth of over 500 billion rupees ($11.2 billion), said Kerala Chief Secretary K. Jayakumar, catapulting the temple into the league of India's richest temples.

The thousands of necklaces, coins and precious stones have been kept in at least five underground vaults at the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple which is renowned for its intricate sculptures.

"We are yet to open one more secret chamber which has not been opened for nearly 140 years," Jayakumar told AFP.

The actual value of the treasure haul can be ascertained only after it is examined by the archaeological department, said Jayakumar.

The temple, dedicated to Hindu lord Vishnu, was built hundreds of years ago by the king of Travancore and donations by devotees have been kept in the temple's vaults since.

A necklace found on Thursday was 18 feet (six metres) long. Thousands of gold coins have also been found.

Since India achieved independence from Britain in 1947, a trust managed by descendants of the Travancore royal family has controlled the temple.

But India's Supreme Court recently ordered that the temple be managed by the state to ensure the security of valuables at the shrine.

Until now, the Thirupathy temple in southern Andhra Pradesh state was believed to be India's richest temple with offerings from devotees worth 320 billion rupees.

The revelation about the huge riches in the Padmanabhaswamy temple has forced police to sharply step install security cameras and alarms.

Authorities also plan to set up a commando force for security, said Kerala director general of police Jacob Punnoose.

"Now it's known all over the world that the Padmanabhaswamy temple has jewels worth billions of rupees we have decided to assign it maximum security," Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy told AFP.

 

[Gonz]

Thet'll secure those temples better than they secure their nukes

 

[2minkey]

hmmm. doesn't seem so much like the state getting involved was the proximate cause of this situation you apparently find objectionable. i think the thing that really set it off was, um, when somebody found all that shit. but i applaud the effort to defy logic in making another "government always bad" assertion.

 

[jimpeel]

Did you miss this part?

"We are yet to open one more secret chamber which has not been opened for nearly 140 years," Jayakumar told AFP.

140 years is not so long ago and they were apparently opened then. Since then, mum's the word. Now the state is involved and the word is "Eureka!"

 

[2minkey]

Did you miss this part?

140 years is not so long ago and they were apparently opened then. Since then, mum's the word. Now the state is involved and the word is "Eureka!"

good thinking jim. so the indian government must have decided it was a good time to pressure the locals to formally request help, thus allowing the jackbooted takeover. certainly your expertise on indian culture and government has enabled your authority. praise be upon your name.

 

[2minkey]

here's some reading for ya jim.

 

[jimpeel]

Yeah, so? Your article supports my contention, which is "While the treasure was being kept by the trust it was safe and no one knew its value."

Thiruvananthapuram, Jun 30: Six cellars of the local Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple, which is being run by a trust of the royal family that had ruled Travancore in the past, are being opened one by one, as per a recent Supreme Court order. The Supreme Court had ordered for opening of these cellars and make a list of items found thereon, while hearing a private complaint. These cellars, which have traditionally remained off limits for anyone, are located underground. The officials completed the task of opening three rooms and listing out the assets and valuables found in these rooms on Tuesday night.

...

This grand temple was built by king of Travancore dynasty, Martananda Verma, in 18th century. In the recent past, the Supreme Court had appointed a seven-member committee which includes two retired judges of Kerala High Court, to open the secret cellars located underground, and list out the invaluable items stored in them. The private complaint had sought more transparency and trustworthiness in the temple administration. (Looks like there was no transparency but the trustworthiness was definitely there. Sounds to me like the complainants want control over the treasure for themselves. -- j)

<more>

 

[jimpeel]

By the by, here is some reading for you as well. The battle has been joined as they have already begun to argue over the fate of the treasure.

CLICK HERE

 

[2minkey]

there was a local request for state involvement. end of story for your purposes. stop trying to weasel-angle this.