While the PMO says that the online and offline auction received a "tremendous response" from the nation's people, it did not give a cumulative figure collected from the sales
The fortnight-long auction of the over 1,800 mementos that Prime Minister Narendra Modi received during his term so far in office, came to a close on Saturday evening. While the PMO said that the online and offline auction received a "tremendous response" from the nation's people, it did not give a cumulative figure collected from the sales. The proceeds will be used for the Namami Gange project, a Central government initiative to clean the Ganga river.
The mementos that drew large bids included a statuette of Lord Shiva, which had a base price of Rs. 5,000 and was auctioned for Rs. 10 lakh and a wooden replica of the Ashok Stambh, with a base price of Rs 4,000 that was auctioned for Rs 13 lakh.
A traditional "Horai" received from Majuli, Assam, (a traditional symbol of the State of Assam — an offering tray with a stand), that was slated for a base price of Rs 2,000 was auctioned for Rs 12 lakh.
Also sold was a statuette of Gautam Buddha for Rs. 7 lakh along with a memento titled "Divinity" received from SGPC, Amritsar, that fetched Rs 10.1 lakh.
A traditional brass statue of a lion, received from former Prime Minister of Nepal Sushil Koirala, was auctioned for Rs. 5.20 lakh while a silver vase (Kalash) with embossing was auctioned for Rs. 6 lakh.
"Prime Minister Modi, even as Chief Minister of Gujarat, used to auction mementos received by him, so that the proceeds could go for the education of girl children. Continuing the same practice, he has now enabled the collection of funds which will help clean up the Holy River Ganga," the statement said.
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