In 2015, Mumbai-based artist

, had gifted the Prime Minister

, a painting (oil on canvas) that had the PM and Mahatma Gandhi on a tri-colour background. It was a simple gesture for him then, intended for a person he looked up to.

He had then told us, “I’d always get inspired by his speeches and was fascinated by his journey to become the PM and that was what had led me to create this work of art. I was really blessed to have met him and gifted it to him. We met at the Mumbai airport ground amidst planes and I presented my painting titled, 'Sons Of The Same Soil', (a diptych, 4x7 feet) to him just before he boarded his flight. His reaction was great. He saw my canvas and very calmly told me that I was good at my work. I did not even need to explain my work to him. He grasped what my painting was conveying and later, told me to keep up the good work.”

Last week, the e-auctioning of the mementos received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, that had been organised by the

came to an end (the proceeds are to be donated to the Namami Gange Mission) and the highest bid was for the painting by this Mumbai-based artist.

The artist is elated and states, “I had worked on that painting for two years and for it to get auctioned off for such a big amount really motivates me. I am very happy that the money will be used for a good cause.”

The ministry had organised the e-auction of 2,772 mementos gifted to the PM and the items that were on display at the National Gallery of Modern Art included memorabilia, paintings, sculptures, shawls, jackets and traditional musical instruments. Not just politicians and activists but also celebrities and Bollywood stars showed interest including actors Anil Kapoor and Arjun Kapoor, and singer Kailash Kher.