Patna Museum theft: crores of rupees

Just in from New Delhi:

The CBI has filed the second chargesheet in the Patna museum theft case, which indicates a major security lapse at the premises. The thieves had actually succeeded in their second attempt after leaving enough proof of their first aborted operation which could have easily been detected.

A total of 18 idols, worth crores of rupees in the global antique market, of the Pala dynasty period were stolen from the museum in September last year. The agency has so far recovered 17 of them with the arrested accused giving no clear indication about the 18th.

"Crores of rupees" -- I shall have to remember that expression. A crore is equal to ten million (that's a hundred lakh, by the way). A crore of rupees is worth $246,609 at today's exchange rate.

As a side note, it's interesting that the term "idol" appears to have no negative connotation in Indian English -- which makes perfect sense given the different underlying cultural background, but which is still a bit startling for those of us unused to a matter-of-fact acceptance of idols and idolatry.

Posted by David on April 25, 2007 10:49 AM