PM Mementos e-Auction Plans 1,498-Item Sale for Ganga
PM Mementos e-Auction Plans 1,498-Item Sale for Ganga
Anonymous
Key Points
1
The collection includes models of the warships INS Surat and INS Nilgiri, as well as a model of HMS Victory. The Indian naval vessels were commissioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Mumbai’s Naval Dockyard in January 2025, while HMS Victory was Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson’s flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar.
2
Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said the auction reflects Modi’s view that “Whatever is received is not mine; whatever is given to me is not mine; and I have no right to hoard what is not mine.”
3
The National Gallery of Modern Art in New Delhi is coordinating the mementoes’ documentation, exhibition and operational arrangements for the auction.
4
Previous sporting memorabilia sales included a signed sabre from fencer C.A. Bhavani Devi, which fetched ₹1.25 crore, and a javelin belonging to Paralympic gold medallist Sumit Antil, which sold for ₹1.002 crore.
5
The auction is scheduled to begin on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday, September 17, and will run through October 31; proceeds will be routed to the Namami Gange programme.
India is auctioning off 1,498 gifts given to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, starting September 17 on his birthday. Daily Pioneer reports the collection includes silver statues, naval ship models, and sporting memorabilia. All money raised will support the Namami Gange river cleanup program.
The auction runs through October 31 and includes 50 specially chosen items labeled "Hero Objects." The Hindu notes a silver Lord Ram memento from Karnataka leads with a base price of ₹13.5 lakh (about $16,200). Past auctions have raised over ₹52 crore for the Ganga restoration effort.
A Collection Spanning India's Arts and Crafts
The mementos reflect India's diverse traditions. Tribune India reports items come from West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Assam, Bihar, and Odisha. The collection shows off sculptures, Gond art paintings, and gold-plated religious artwork representing different regions and their specialized crafts.
Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat explained the philosophy behind the sale: Modi believes "whatever is received is not mine; whatever is given to me is not mine; and I have no right to hoard what is not mine." The minister said the auction celebrates India's living traditions and craftsmanship.
Naval Warships and Olympic Sporting Heroes
The auction includes models of India's newest warships. Daily Pioneer lists models of INS Surat and INS Nilgiri — both commissioned by Modi at Mumbai's Naval Dockyard in January 2025. A model of HMS Victory, Admiral Nelson's flagship, also appears in the collection.
Sporting memorabilia commands top prices. ANI News notes a signed sabre from fencer C.A. Bhavani Devi once sold for ₹1.25 crore. Paralympic gold medallist Sumit Antil's javelin fetched ₹1.002 crore. Neeraj Chopra's Olympic javelin from 2021 brought ₹1.5 crore alone.
New Delhi Museum Coordinates Display and Sale
The National Gallery of Modern Art in New Delhi is handling all logistics for the event. The Hindu reports the gallery is managing documentation, exhibition setup, and operational details. An accompanying exhibition will let the public view objects before bidding opens online.
Previous auctions have proven successful fundraisers. Free Press Journal states earlier editions raised more than ₹52 crore for Namami Gange. The program cleans and restores the Ganges River. This auction aims to continue that track record through October 31.
Sentiment
Mostly PositiveNEGATIVENEUTRALPOSITIVE
Publishers
13
Articles
11
Reach
24
A
AnonymousAuthor
