A total of 1,498 gifts received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will go under the hammer at the eighth edition of the PM Mementos e-Auction, to be held in New Delhi from September 17 to October 31.
The e-auction offers citizens, collectors, institutions, and art and culture enthusiasts an opportunity to acquire the unique mementos presented to the Prime Minister on various occasions. The auction would be held through the official portal www.pmmementos.gov.in .
Union Tourism and Culture Minister Gajendra Shekhawat told the media that the earlier e-auctions have witnessed participation from citizens, collectors, and institutions. “Around ₹52 crore has been generated in the seven editions of the e-auction held till now,” he said.
Proceeds from the auction are transferred towards the government’s flagship ‘Namami Gange’ programme. The Union Minister highlighted that the State-wise representation in the collection further demonstrates India’s geographical and cultural diversity. He noted that among the larger representations are mementos from West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Assam, Bihar, and Odisha. The National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi, under the Ministry, has coordinated the documentation, exhibition and operational aspects of the initiative. An accompanying exhibition will provide visitors an opportunity to view the mementos and appreciate their artistic and cultural significance before participating in the e-auction. “The Prime Minister has never worked in self interest.
Earlier reporting noted: PM Mementos e-auction: 1,498 gifts to go under the hammer from September 17 The ministry of culture will launch the eighth edition of the PM Mementos e-auction on September 17, putting up 1,498 gifts received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for public bidding.
The exhibition will also enable the public to explore the diversity of India’s traditional crafts, artistic practices and cultural expressions represented in the collection, senior Ministry officials said. He truly believes in and embodies the fact that what the country has given him is not his to keep but has to be returned to people,” Shekhawat said. States such as West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Assam, Bihar and Odisha account for the larger share of the collection, the ministry said. It added that the mementos represent India’s “artistic traditions, traditional craftsmanship, cultural practices, spiritual traditions and sporting achievements.”
Earlier reporting noted: The items have been sourced from across the country. Earlier reporting noted: Union culture minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Wednesday said the initiative reflected the Prime Minister’s personal approach to public service.
