Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot raised money for the families of martyrs on Sunday, March 3, by auctioning mementos and souvenirs that had been presented to him. Rs 1.4 crore were reportedly raised through the auction.
According to a report published in NewsD, the auction, organised by Jaipur-based Bharat Seva Sansthan had more than 350 presents and souvenirs sold, at prices ranging from Rs 5000 to Rs 1 lac.
“Our government will provide all the help it can for the families of those who were martyred protecting our borders. All Indians are standing shoulder to shoulder in these times of suffering with the families of these soldiers.” reads Gehlot’s tweet later in the day.
देश की रक्षा के लिए शहादत देने वाले हमारे जवानों के परिवारों के सहयोग हेतु आयोजित ‘वीरांजली‘ कार्यक्रम।#Jaipur #Rajasthan pic.twitter.com/mxqMZC2RQv
— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) March 3, 2019
भारत सेवा संस्थान के माध्यम से महावीर जैन स्कूल में हुए 'वीरांजलि' कार्यक्रम में स्मृति चिन्हों तथा उपहारों की नीलामी और भामाशाहों द्वारा समर्पित राशि से करीब 1.36 करोड़ रूपए की राशि प्राप्त हुई है।#Rajasthan
— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) March 3, 2019
Talking to reporters, Gehlot reportedly expressed his gratitude towards those who came forward to help with the auction. He said that such programs have been organised many times in the past too, starting after the Kargil war in 1999, the tsunami in 2004, the floods in Kashmir, among others.
The Congress leader added that his government had increased the package amount, given to the families of martyrs, to Rs 50 lakh.
कारगिल युद्ध के समय मैंने 56 शहीदों के परिवारों की पीड़ा को नजदीक से जाना था।
उस समय हमारी सरकार ने शहीदों के परिवारों की सहायता के लिए जो पैकेज दिया वह देश में सबसे बेहतर था। अब हमने इस पैकेज की राशि बढ़ाकर 50 लाख रूपए तक कर दी है।#Rajasthan— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) March 3, 2019
Also read: Rajasthan Govt Revises Ex-gratia to Families of CRPF Jawans Killed in Pulwama Attack