PM Modi’s gifts likely to be auctioned at national gallery
The National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) in New Delhi is likely to auction gifts and mementos received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi this month, media reports said. According to Union culture minister Mahesh Sharma, the proceeds from the auction will be used for a noble cause.
The reports also suggested the proceeds of the auction will go to Namami Gange, a mission undertaken by the Union Government for conservation and rejuvenation of the Ganga river.
Paintings, photographs, ‘pagadis’(turbans), shawls, sculptures and other gifts given to Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be among other items at the auction.
There will be a physical auction that can spread over two days followed by an e-sale of three days, a report published by HT said.
NGMA, which functions under the ministry of culture, maintains galleries for permanent display and also organises special exhibitions of art. In October last year, NGMA had organised an exhibition of the gifts given to Modi.
Commenting on the auction, minister Sharma said, “We have proposed to have an auction of the gift items presented to our Prime Minster by the various individuals and organisations in the country. The money collected will go for a noble cause. Our plan is to have the auction within next 10-15 days.”
The reserve price of most items is Rs 500, the report said. A website featuring the gifts is likely to go live soon.
