Indian Prime Narendra Modi has elaborated on what he did to the state gifts from Toshakhana he received during his tenure in public offices during his journey from becoming chief minister to prime minister during an interview.
During an interview titled ‘Bharat Ki Baat, Sabke Saath’ in April 2018, Indian PM Narendra Modi revealed his approach regarding the state gifts.
He said that he auctioned all valuables, received during his tenure as Gujarat’s Chief Minister, to fund girl child education, OPIndia reported.
Why Modi not saying “mera tohfa, meri marzi” like Imran Khan? Indian PM on how he auctioned state gifts from Toshakhana and donated proceeds to girl-child education. pic.twitter.com/r0P4OKvw7X
— Naila Inayat (@nailainayat) May 2, 2022
“I used to put all the gifts in the government treasury (also called Toshakhana). I first found out their valuation and began auctioning them… I can say with pride that when I left my position as the Gujarat CM, I donated more than ₹100 crores, received from auctioning these gifts, to the government treasury for funding the education of girl children.”
All the gifts and mementoes received by PM Modi are maintained by the National Gallery of Modern Art, an undertaking of the Ministry of culture.
In September 2019, PM Modi announced that all gifts and mementoes received by him in the past 1 year would be auctioned both physically and online. “The proceeds from the auction will be devoted towards the Namami Gange Mission. It would contribute to a cleaner Ganga,” he had said.
Continuing a practice I have always believed in!
All those gifts and mementos I have received in the last one year would be getting auctioned starting today till 3rd October. These mementoes would be on display at the NGMA near India Gate in Delhi.
Do visit to have a look! pic.twitter.com/vYRNvmjPQ1
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 14, 2019
In September 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi auctioned the special mementoes received from Olympic heroes for the Namami Ganga initiative. These gifts included the javelin of Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra, gloves of boxer Lovlina Borgohain, and a stole with signatures of Tokyo Olympic players.
“Over time, I have received several gifts and mementoes which are being auctioned. This includes the special mementoes given by our Olympics heroes. Do take part in the auction. The proceeds would go to the Namami Gange initiative,” he had tweeted.
Over time, I have received several gifts and mementos which are being auctioned. This includes the special mementos given by our Olympics heroes. Do take part in the auction. The proceeds would go to the Namami Gange initiative.https://t.co/Oeq4EYb30M pic.twitter.com/PrF44YWBrN
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 19, 2021
The video clip of Modi’s interview went viral on social media when everyone is talking in Pakistan about the Toshakhana items, the state gifts received by the public office bearers.
In several events that were witnessed in Pakistan, the public office-bearers including prime ministers have set failed to set such a precedent to consider the state gifts as the national assets.
According to the Cabinet Division’s documents,
Imran Khan paid a total of Rs 38.17 million against the gifts retained worth of Rs 142.04 million.
Former PM also retained gifts worth Rs 800,200 for free.
Nothing declared in tax returns. pic.twitter.com/MFxSo2dlzv
— Zartasha Khan (@Zartash29015689) April 20, 2022
Analysts said all Pakistani rulers need to learn from the precedent set by the Indian premier.
Modi says that as CM Gujarat he received gifts from people which he deposited in Toshakhana. . He didn’t keep any but auctioned all. It fetched one billion rupees which were deposited in treasury & spent on girl child education https://t.co/OjDG5Ho9SE
— Farhatullah Babar (@FarhatullahB) May 1, 2022
They believed that all the prime ministers of Pakistan over the past two decades have been accused of taking unfair advantage of their positions and setting such examples will win the public confidence over the rulers.