Published By : Admin |
October 24, 2019 | 16:40 IST
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The exhibition cum e-auctioning of mementos received by Prime Minister drew to a close today on 24th October. The auction met with a tremendous response and tens of thousands of bids were received. All proceeds from the e-auction will be donated towards funding the Namami Gange Mission.
The Union culture ministry organised the e-auction starting from 14th September to sell a total of 2772 mementos gifted to the Prime Minister. Items were kept on display at the National Gallery of Modern Art in New Delhi. The mementos include diverse objects and memorabilia including paintings, sculptures, shawls, jackets and traditional musical instruments.
Initially, the e-auction was supposed to be held till 3rd October. However, in face of a tremendous public response and a request for more people to participate, a decision was taken to extend the auction process for another three weeks. As of today, all items on auction stand sold-out. Celebrities, politicians and activists have shown interest in the auction, with many like Bollywood stars Anil Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor, and singer Kailash Kher endorsing it.
Amongst the mementos on display, the lowest base price was kept at Rs 500 for items like small statue of Lord Ganesha and decorative wooden box in lotus shape. The highest base price of Rs. 2.5 lakhs was reserved for an acrylic painting with a tri-colour background of Prime Minister with Mahatma Gandhi, which has received a final bid of Rs. 25 lakhs. A framed photograph of the Prime Minister receiving blessings from his mother, with a base price of Rs. 1000, has received a bid of Rs 20 lakh. Other popular auction items include an exhibit of Manipuri Folk Arts (an original base price of Rs. 50,000, sold for a bid of Rs. 10 lakhs), a metallic sculpture of a cow feeding a calf (a base price of Rs. 4,000, sold for a bid of Rs. 10 lakhs) and a metallic 14 cm statue of Swami Vivekanand (base price of Rs. 4,000 that has received a final price of Rs. 6 lakhs).
Prime Minister’s visit to the United Arab Emirates
May 15, 2026
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Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi paid an official visit to the United Arab Emirates today. He was received at the airport by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and accorded a ceremonial welcome.
The two Leaders held a series of detailed discussions, during which Prime Minister reaffirmed India’s strong condemnation of the attacks on the UAE, as well as its solidarity with leadership and the people of the UAE. Prime Minister also conveyed India’s clear position in favour of ensuring safe transit passage and unimpeded navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, which is vital for enduring regional peace and stability, as well as energy and food security.
The Leaders also reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations and welcomed the deepening of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership across multiple sectors, including energy, trade, investment, defense, security, fintech, infrastructure, education, culture and people to people ties. They acknowledged the success of the India–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which has led to bilateral trade scaling new heights.
The two Leaders appreciated the vibrant and growing bilateral energy partnership, with the UAE maintaining its role as an important partner in India’s energy security, including in terms of crude oil, LNG and LPG supplies. The Leaders agreed to promote new initiatives for a comprehensive energy partnership. In this context, they welcomed the conclusion of a Strategic Collaboration Agreement between Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company to enhance UAE’s participation in India’s Strategic Petroleum Reserves to 30 million barrels, and work together to set up strategic gas reserves in India. They also welcomed the arrangement entered into between Indian Oil Limited (IOCL) Company and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) on long-term LPG supplies.
The two Leaders welcomed the announcement of USD 5 billion in investment into India by UAE entities. This includes investment of USD 3 billion by the Emirates New Development Bank (ENDB) in the RBL Bank of India, USD 1 billion by the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) with the National Infrastructure & Investment Fund of India (NIIF) in priority infrastructure projects in India, and USD 1 billion by the International Holding Company in Sammaan Capital of India. These investments underscore UAE’s sustained and long-term commitment to India’s growth story, while strengthening the bilateral strategic investment partnership.
The Leaders acknowledged the steady and strong bilateral defence cooperation as an important pillar of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. They welcomed the signing of the Framework for the Strategic Defence Partnership between the two countries during the visit. Under this, the two sides have agreed on deepening defence industrial collaboration and cooperation on innovation and advanced technology, training, exercises, maritime security, cyber defence, secure communications and information exchange.
The two Leaders also witnessed the conclusion of the following additional documents during the visit, which will further strengthen bilateral cooperation:
· MoU between Cochin Shipyard Limited and Drydocks World, Dubai on setting up Ship Repair Cluster at Vadinar, including offshore fabrication, under the Maritime Development Fund Scheme launched by the Government of India.
· Tripartite MoU between Cochin Shipyard Limited, the Drydocks World Dubai and Centre of Excellence in Maritime & Shipbuilding (CEMS) on Skill Development in Ship Repair. This establishes a framework to mobilize, train and employ a skilled maritime workforce, enhances the capabilities of the Indian maritime workforce and position India as a hub for skilled shipbuilding and ship repair professionals.
· Term Sheet for setting up 8 Exaflop Super Compute Cluster in partnership between CDAC, India and G-42, UAE.
The two leaders also welcomed the operationalisation of the Virtual Trade Corridor using MAITRI (Master Application for International Trade and Regulatory Interface interface). This digital framework, connecting customs and port authorities on both sides, will streamline cargo movement and reduce both costs and transit time, thereby enabling more efficient trade flows.
Prime Minister thanked President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for the warm welcome and gracious hospitality extended to him and invited him to visit India at an early date.
