The Ministry of Culture has put 18 mementos gifted to the Prime Minister by Andhra Pradesh up for public auction. The proceeds from the sale will go towards the Namami Gange programme, a national initiative focused on cleaning and restoring the River Ganga. The auction is currently open on the PM Mementos website until 31 October 2026.
Key facts
- 18 mementos from Andhra Pradesh are part of the PM Mementos e-Auction
- Auction deadline: 31 October 2026
- Items include Kondapalli wooden bullock cart, Kalamkari textile, and commemorative gifts
- Proceeds directed to the Namami Gange programme
- Bidding platform: https://pmmementos.gov.in
- Collection includes Stree Shakti Pratibha Award-2025 memento and Good Governance of India acrylic painting
What mementos are being auctioned
The collection represents Andhra Pradesh’s traditional crafts and cultural heritage. A Kondapalli wooden bullock cart showcases the state’s rural artisanship and folk traditions. A Kalamkari textile features a photoprint of the Prime Minister and demonstrates the state’s textile heritage. A commemorative memento from Sree Shivaji Sphoorti Kendram in Srisailam reflects the state’s religious and cultural history.
Beyond traditional crafts, the collection also includes modern items reflecting contemporary governance priorities. The Stree Shakti Pratibha Award 2025 commemorative memento honours women’s achievements and empowerment. An acrylic painting titled “Good Governance of India” depicts themes relevant to public welfare, including government schemes, agriculture, healthcare, education and infrastructure development.
How the PM Mementos initiative works
When dignitaries and states present gifts to the Prime Minister, these items accumulate over time. Rather than storing them indefinitely, the PM Mementos scheme converts these gifts into a public resource. The initiative makes selected mementos available for auction to the general public, allowing anyone with interest in Indian art and culture to purchase these items.
The revenue generated from the auctions is not used for general government purposes. Instead, proceeds are channeled towards specific national programmes. In this case, all money from selling the Andhra Pradesh mementos will support the Namami Gange programme, which works on river conservation, pollution control and rejuvenation of the Ganga.
The Namami Gange programme
Namami Gange is a central government initiative dedicated to cleaning and restoring the health of the River Ganga. The programme addresses industrial pollution, sewage treatment, river ecology and related environmental concerns. Funds from auctions like this contribute to these conservation efforts across the river basin.
What this means for you
If you are interested in acquiring authentic examples of Indian regional crafts and cultural items, the PM Mementos e-Auction offers a direct opportunity. The mementos represent genuine artisanal work and state heritage, not reproductions. By purchasing from this auction, you simultaneously support the Namami Gange river conservation mission.
For collectors, students of Indian art and culture, and those interested in traditional crafts, bidding on these items provides both a cultural purchase and a contribution to environmental restoration. The collection demonstrates the diversity of India’s regional artistic traditions.
For those focused on social impact, participating in the auction channels money directly towards a national environmental programme without intermediaries.
How to participate
Interested bidders can visit the official PM Mementos website at https://pmmementos.gov.in to view the complete collection of 18 mementos from Andhra Pradesh. The platform allows you to browse photographs and descriptions of each item and place bids online. The auction remains open until 31 October 2026, giving bidders several weeks to review the collection and participate.