SDG 11: Sustainable Cities & Communities | SDG 16: Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions
Institutions: Ministry of Culture
The Ministry of Culture has launched the 7th edition of the Prime Minister’s Mementos E-Auction, organized by the National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi. Over 1,300 gifts presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be auctioned online from 17 September to 2 October 2025. The auction includes paintings, artefacts, sculptures, idols, sports memorabilia, and more. All items are currently on display at NGMA before bidding. Since the first auction in January 2019, the proceeds-now exceeding ₹50 crore-have been directed towards the Namami Gange Project. This year’s collection spans culturally diverse pieces, such as a Pashmina shawl from Jammu & Kashmir, a hand-woven Naga shawl, Tanjore paintings, and works of tribal art, among others.
This initiative combines cultural preservation, public participation, and fundraising for environmental restoration. The e-auction helps engage citizens with India’s heritage, channel funds into the Namami Gange mission, and demonstrates how cultural assets can serve broader national development goals.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders:
How can future editions of such e-auctions expand accessibility (especially in smaller towns) and transparency in valuation while ensuring cultural sensitivity of items?
Follow the full news here:
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2167237