Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday appealed to citizens to actively participate in the ongoing e-auction of gifts and mementos he has received at various events, with the proceeds dedicated to the Namami Gange Programme — the Centre’s flagship project for cleaning and rejuvenating the River Ganga. The auction, which opened on September 17 to mark PM Modi’s birthday, will conclude on October 2, coinciding with the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
The Prime Minister, in a post on X, said the auction showcased items that reflect India’s rich culture and creativity. “Over the past few days, the online auction for the various gifts I have received during my different programmes has been underway. The proceeds from the auction will go towards Namami Gange. Do take part in the auction,” he urged citizens.
According to the official portal pmmementos.gov.in, the auction features rare and symbolic items, including a silver model of the Ram Mandir, a Kamdhenu with calf idol, a wooden charkha, a cane ship model, and paintings such as the Kailasa Temple at Ellora. Other items like a framed artwork of Lord Buddha from Bihar, cultural memorabilia, and posters are also available. Past auctions have included sports kits used by Olympians, autographed cricket bats, and replicas of historic monuments, attracting wide participation from across the country.
The annual auction, launched in 2019, has become an important initiative to combine cultural preservation with environmental responsibility. The Ministry of Culture conducts the process in partnership with the Ministry of Jal Shakti, ensuring that funds raised directly support the Namami Gange mission.
The Namami Gange Programme, approved in 2014 with an initial budget of ₹20,000 crore, is one of the world’s largest river conservation projects. Its objectives include pollution abatement, construction of sewage treatment plants, cleaning of river surfaces, industrial effluent management, afforestation, and biodiversity conservation. Officials have highlighted that proceeds from the auctions provide an additional stream of resources to strengthen ongoing projects and engage citizens in the revival of the Ganga.
