“A committee evaluates the mementoes and decides the base price. The total value of articles under auction this year, as decided by the committee, is ₹1.5 crore. However, these souvenirs given to the PM have sentimental value, and hence they are priceless. Their monetary values are symbolic,” said Minister Shekhawat.Shekhawat also revealed that this year, 602 memorabilia, including paintings, idols, shawls, and items from different states presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, are part of the auction. Last year, a total of 912 articles were auctioned, fetching ₹11 crore, while the reserve price of the items was ₹2.8 crore. To date, the government has collected ₹54 crore through these bids. The annual auction of PM mementoes first began in 2019, with proceeds directed towards the Namami Gange Programme—a project launched in 2014 to clean, preserve, and protect the Ganges.Approximately 100 of the mementoes are on display at the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) in New Delhi for public viewing. The auction will continue until October 2.
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