[1]Talks about a Rs 24 crore deal between Defence Minister A. K. Antony’s wife Elizabeth and the cash-strapped Air India was a debate of high intensity on the social network on Tuesday.
Elizabeth, a painter by hobby was the centre of dispute following reports that a series of her paintings exhibited at the India Habitat Centre were purchased by the airlines for the whopping sum in December last year.
Just as the issue was making a viral attack in the virtual world, Elizabeth stepped out refuting the incident saying it was politically motivated to sensationalise a noble cause.
Elizabeth responded through Facebook: “I am posting this message after seeing some rumours circulating in the internet about an art exhibition. The exhibition had a total of 24 art exhibits (works of others included) and were sold for a cumulative Rs. 16 lakhs.”
In most of the ‘defamatory’ posts she was seen with one of her paintings allegedly sold for a huge prize. Elizabeth clarified: “The controversial painting circulated in news and social media was not sold to Airport Authority of India, but to a private art collector for a figure of Rs. 95,000. AAI had brought four paintings for a total of Rs. 2.5 lahks.”
Moreover, she asserted that the exhibition was a fund-raiser for treatment of cancer patients.
“Navoothan Charitable Foundation has maintained the records and bills of all the financial transactions in the most professional manner and the proceeds are used entirely for cancer cause,” Elizabeth said.
Links:
[1] http://archive.asianage.com/elizajpgcropdisplayjpg-907