The eighth e-auction of PM mementos will begin on September 17, featuring 1,498 gifts received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The auction, to be held through the official portal www.pmmementos.gov.in, will run until October 31. The collection includes 50 'hero objects' with base prices ranging from ₹5.40 lakh to ₹13.50 lakh, according to the Ministry of Culture.

The auction is part of an initiative to return gifts received by the Prime Minister to the public, with proceeds funding the Namami Gange programme. Union Tourism and Culture Minister Gajendra Shekhawat stated that the previous seven editions of the auction have generated over ₹52 crore. The collection, sourced from across the country, reflects India's cultural and artistic diversity, with significant representation from states such as West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Assam, Bihar, and Odisha.

The National Gallery of Modern Art in New Delhi will host an exhibition of the mementos, allowing the public to view the items before participating in the auction. The exhibition aims to highlight the artistic and cultural significance of the collection, which includes items such as a silver memento of Lord Ram from Karnataka, a silver replica of the Kakatiya Kala Thoranam, and a framed Gond art painting titled 'Tree of Life.'

The Ministry of Culture has emphasized that the auction reflects the Prime Minister's approach to public service, with Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat noting that the initiative embodies the belief that 'what the country has given him is not his to keep but has to be returned to people.' The auction follows a similar process since its inception in January 2019, with the highest sale to date being Neeraj Chopra’s Tokyo Olympics javelin, which fetched ₹1.5 crore in 2021.

The auction's focus on cultural heritage and public engagement has been highlighted, but the broader implications of monetizing national symbols remain unaddressed. The exact number of bidders, the final sale prices, and the distribution of proceeds beyond the Namami Gange programme are not specified in the available information. The auction's success in promoting cultural awareness and public participation remains to be seen, with further details expected as the event unfolds.