Gifts, mementos received by PM up for auction

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the launch of an e-auction featuring more than 600 gifts and mementoes he received during various public events, with all proceeds directed towards supporting the Namami Gange initiative.

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In a post shared on social media platform X on Thursday, PM Modi stated, “Every year, I auction the various mementoes I receive during public programmes. The proceeds of the auction go to the Namami Gange initiative. I’m delighted to share that this year’s auction has opened. Do bid for the mementoes you find interesting!”

The e-auction, which started on September 17 and will run until October 2, is being organised by the Union Ministry of Culture. The collection features a diverse range of items that highlight India’s rich cultural, spiritual and historical legacy. Available for bidding are traditional art pieces, ceremonial swords, tribal artifacts, intricate sculptures and items linked to India’s freedom struggle, catering to a wide spectrum of collectors and enthusiasts.

Among the notable items up for auction is a replica of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, with a base price set at Rs 5.5 lakh. The auction also includes sports memorabilia from Paralympic athletes such as silver medal-winning javelin shoes from Ajeet Singh Yadav and memorabilia from Nishad Kumar and Simran Sharma, with base prices starting at Rs 8.3 lakh. Additional items include ceremonial swords, khadi shawls and traditional turbans or pagris, which symbolise India’s cultural heritage. Other traditional items such as cotton angavastrams and decorative shawls are also part of the auction, with bids starting as low as Rs 600.

The National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) in New Delhi is hosting a special display of 100 selected items from the auction, offering visitors a chance to view some of the more significant pieces such as tribal artifacts and silver filigree works. At the launch event, Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat praised the items on display, saying, “These gifts symbolise remarkable achievements and personal stories that inspire us all.”

This is the sixth auction of its kind since 2019 and has been a significant contributor to the National Ganga Fund, which is dedicated to cleaning and preserving the Ganga. So far, the auctions of PM Modi’s mementoes have raised Rs 54 crore in support of the Namami Gange initiative. Shekhawat emphasised the importance of the event, stating, “This auction is not just about acquiring unique items; it’s about contributing to a cause. The proceeds will support efforts to restore and protect our rivers, a mission central to the Namami Gange Project.”

The e-auction is being hosted on the official website, pmmementos.gov.in, and will run until October 2. It offers collectors, admirers and supporters of environmental causes an opportunity to acquire unique items while contributing to the preservation of India’s natural heritage. As minister Shekhawat highlighted, “Every bid strengthens our resolve to protect our environment and heritage.”