A model of the Ram temple at Ayodhya, an exquisitely carved statue of Goddess Bhavani and sports memorabilia from India’s Paralympians are among more than 1,300 gifts presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi that have gone under the hammer in the latest round of the government’s online auction.
The seventh edition of the e-auction began on Wednesday, coinciding with Modi’s 75th birthday, and will continue until October 2. The auction is being conducted through the official PM Mementos website, with the proceeds earmarked for the Namami Gange project, the Centre’s flagship mission for the conservation and rejuvenation of the Ganga.
According to details uploaded on the website, the statue of Goddess Bhavani carries the highest base price of Rs 1,03,95,000. The model of the Ram temple has been valued at Rs 5.5 lakh, while three pairs of shoes gifted by Paralympic medallists figure in the top bracket with each pair listed at Rs 7.7 lakh.
The Culture Ministry said in a statement that this year’s auction features memorabilia gifted by India’s para-athletes who participated in the Paris Paralympics 2024. “These tokens symbolise the para-athletes' resilience, excellence and indomitable spirit,” the ministry observed.
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Other prized artefacts include an embroidered Pashmina shawl from Jammu and Kashmir, a Tanjore painting of the Ram Durbar, a metallic statue of Nataraja, a Rogan artwork from Gujarat depicting the Tree of Life, and a traditional handwoven Naga shawl. Together, they highlight the wide cultural spectrum of India.
Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh said more than 1,300 gifts received by the Prime Minister are on display at the National Gallery of Modern Art in New Delhi ahead of the bidding. “The collection reflects the cultural diversity of India, ranging from traditional art, paintings, sculptures, handicrafts and tribal artefacts to ceremonial gifts of honour and respect,” the ministry added.
The first edition of the auction was launched in January 2019. Since then, over Rs 50 crore has been raised through the sale of such memorabilia, all directed towards the Namami Gange initiative.
Calling the process both symbolic and participatory, the ministry said, “The e-auction is not just an opportunity for citizens to own a piece of history, but also to participate in a noble mission, the preservation of our holy river, the Ganga.”
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