The physical auction of Mementos received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi received an overwhelming response from passionate bidders on its opening day on Sunday.
Organised by National Gallery of Modern Art, under the aegis of Ministry of Culture, the two-day physical auction shall culminate on January 28.
The e-auction will take place from January 29 to 31 for the remaining items which are not sold during the physical auction on the portal www.pmmementos.gov.in..
Exclusive items that were auctioned included statues, photographs, paintings and articles such as angavastram, shawls, commemorative coins, traditional musical instruments, hats, pagris and jackets among others to name a few.
Tremendous buzz has been generated in respect of these gift items in view of the fact that these items have been accessible to the general public through auction being espoused for the noble charitable work.
The proceeds contributes towards the project Namami Gange.
The bidders supported the cause wholeheartedly as certain items such as statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, base priced at Rs. 1000/- was finally auctioned for Rs. 22,000/.
Items such as statues of Gautam Buddha, portraits, photographs and paintings of Prime Minister, 3D painting of Gomukh (an origin of The holy river Ganga), Statue of Mahatma Basveshwara, Statue of Swami Vivekananda and silver coated Shivlinga were also auctioned at a high price.
The Public also enjoyed viewing the display of these items at the National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi.
Union Minister for Railways and Commerce Piyush Goyal, Member of Parliament Manoj Tiwari and Meenakshi Lekhi visited the auction along with other dignitaries and senior officials from the Government .(UNI)