Modi’s suit auctioned for Rs43m

E-Paper | March 11, 2026

NEW DELHI: A tasteless jacket worn by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he hosted US President Barrack Obama in Delhi was sold for Rs43 million at an auction on Friday.

The three-day auction saw businessmen, diamond merchants and a teacher making offers for the suit, which is believed to have contributed to his party’s defeat in Delhi.

Mr Modi’s suit with his name woven into it in gold pinstripes finally went to 62-year old Hitesh Laljibhai Patel, a Surat-based diamond merchant.

Know more: What's in a NaMo?: Indian premier's Modi-striped suit is wildly popular

The money will be used for the prime minister’s campaign to clean the river Ganga.

“I have 8,000 workers. I am going to proudly display it at my factory. It is a matter of pride that a suit worn by Narendra Modi will now be mine,” said a jubilant Mr Patel to NDTV. He had doggedly outbid other buyers, declaring that the “sky’s the limit”.

The tailored navy blue suit was mocked by opposition parties as an example of narcissism and extravagance in a country where many live in extreme poverty.

Published in Dawn February 21th , 2015

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Rehan

Feb 21, 2015 07:35am

He is like IK trying to gain sympathy on his humble background but purchasing cloths and shoes that are very expensive and living a very high standard of living. But telling his people that he is a simple man just driving the most expensive car's and waring the most expensive cloths traveling first class for him an his family is only his right. There are a few leaders that stick to their principle IK and Moody is not one of them

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Narasimha murty

Feb 21, 2015 07:47am

Modi means business !

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Helloworld

Feb 21, 2015 07:51am

I think Modi's actions talk louder then any of its critiques TV show. Good work, this is the kind of Karma we want from our leaders. Guide whole of Indian Subcontinent Mr Modi.

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Jason

Feb 21, 2015 08:28am

Tasteless jacket...HAHAHA!! Love the way Pakistani media's passive aggresiveness is displayed

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Goodworld

Feb 21, 2015 08:29am

Its 71 million Pak Rs Exactly

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Jay

Feb 21, 2015 08:30am

Conveniently sidetracking the extravagance and fielding valid criticism by bringing in a noble act like cleaning the Ganges river with the proceeds. Nicely played.

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Feb 21, 2015 08:32am

a gifted suit goes for 43m which is donated for a noble cause. i am wondering about the authors qualifier "tasteless" to adjectivise the suit. Is it bias or a journalistic attempt to demean the buyer of the suit?

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Aurora

Feb 21, 2015 08:34am

An example is set for other politicians . Indian currency 43 million approx 70 million of Pak currency.

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Dwaraka nath

Feb 21, 2015 08:37am

Approximately Rs. 7 crores of Pakistan currency ,will go to cleaning of Ganga river . Besides the tremendous success of air show will brought Rs.6 lakh crore foreign investment in India to create lakhs of jobs to Indian youths . That's why Indian loves Modi .

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anna

Feb 21, 2015 08:37am

@Rehan r this suit was a gift from NRI.

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Aurora

Feb 21, 2015 08:43am

An example is set for other politicians to contribute towords national development.Having a suit with strips of his name was rare but something new for Indians and being an open vocal democracy it was also taunted by few .Its auction along with other 454 items gifted to him since becoming PM has brought good money for the cause. Indian currency 43 million approx 70 million of Pak currency.

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modified

Feb 21, 2015 08:44am

why is dawn so obsessed with this guy

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Dwaraka nath

Feb 21, 2015 08:52am

Rs 8.33 crore collected from 3-day auction of gifts received by PM Modi

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Nish

Feb 21, 2015 08:53am

@Rehan A businessman sold it to him another bought it. The profit went to clean the country's longest river. The privileges he enjoys are because he is our PM.

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@Difusal

Feb 21, 2015 08:53am

@Rehan Modi is not like that he is very humble person. Suite was gifted to him, and he used scorpio a econoical vehicle when he was chiefe minister of gujrat and donated all his salary to girls education......dont comment anything without knowing anything

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citizen

Feb 21, 2015 08:55am

The buyer also said that he was happy that he contributed to Ganga cleaning . N thanks for The last paragraph, I don't hv any bad feeling towards dawn, becoz such a loved daily of pak is not just one man show but contribution of many. Modi has seen poverty n this is why he is not dhongi. We millions lv him n respect him!

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citizen

Feb 21, 2015 08:57am

@Rehan he has not brought this , it was a gift. He travels with our tax so that he can bring mani fold investment . he is a leader we believe In.

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Popat

Feb 21, 2015 08:59am

@Rehan You have absolutely no clue about the man.

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Vibhu

Feb 21, 2015 09:03am

How its tasteless? When Modi was at stardom, on Republic Day. He deserved it, after thumping mandate victory and then, US besides him. Jealous people felt the awe of Modi's rise and rule the roost.

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Indian

Feb 21, 2015 09:03am

@Rehan You have to understand he is prime minster of India 10 times bigger than Pakistan economy, and also he is not like other Prime ministers he donated all his gifts to charity.

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Z khan

Feb 21, 2015 09:11am

India is not a poor place. I think it's tasteful on that context.

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Rohit

Feb 21, 2015 09:16am

The suit was given to Mr. Modi as a gift in at a function.

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Ammy

Feb 21, 2015 09:19am

@Goodworld Right , they forgot about the difference of value in Indian and Pakistani Rupee ;)

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cchiru1

Feb 21, 2015 09:25am

"The money will be used for the prime minister’s campaign to clean the river Ganga." ...Really a smart and intelligent politician of india....Pak politicians must learn from him...

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cchiru1

Feb 21, 2015 09:27am

Leaders like modi make india wealthy and powerful ...........indians r lucky to hav a PM like modi

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Ammy

Feb 21, 2015 09:28am

One thing is clear, all Modi critics fall flat on their face, not because Modi outwits them, but his intentions are clear and honest. Gradually it's making him more stronger. More media and opposition talked about this suit,more mileage he got for his clean Ganga drive. This was a suit gifted to him by a a person as an invitation along with marriage card when Chinese premier was in Gujarat. He obliged it by wearing on the day of marriage , coinciding with Obama visit. More people criticised him for this, more mileage he got for his pet project of Clean Ganga. And this Ajay Makan and Rahul Gandhi of congress were most vocal about it in criticism, showing themselves as fools by falling into this design and making this auction more successful. Hope congress learn from mistakes and focus more on peoples' issue if Modi govt is doing any wrong or mistake, than to criticising him on lofty issues without any substance. Yes Mr. Correspondent, the suit was tasteless, giving a bitter taste in lot of mouthes:)

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indian

Feb 21, 2015 09:50am

Lol i see how u ppl burn with jealousy .."taste less" hahah...

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nsiahnt singh

Feb 21, 2015 10:04am

not only the suit was very 'jokerish' and i am sure many had laughed at the kiddish dressing sense of prime minister of world's largest democracy, but also as an Indian i feel extremely ashamed that in a country that houses over 30% of world's poor we have a man shamefully wearing a 10 lakh suit. the fact that the money went to charity does nothing to hide the immaturity of Modi to wear the suit in first place and charity is just the guise to hide his follies and narcissim. lets not forget these are the people who were after Mr. Kejriwal for a minor spend of traveling by business class ta his own expense. Modi is a fool who has shown his maturity by making 12th fail Smirit Irani ahs education minister in India. ashamed to be an indian where modi is PM.

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gireesh

Feb 21, 2015 10:09am

Dear dawn. You forgotten to mention that the coat is a gifted one

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suraj

Feb 21, 2015 10:38am

that suit actually costs 7000 Rs only....

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fawad

Feb 21, 2015 10:55am

he got it as gift, and later he auctioned it. Gift, never spent money on it, but gifted by family friend.

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Sudhanshu Swami

Feb 21, 2015 11:06am

If he had refused to take Gift then there was no value. If he had accepted money instead of suit to donate, then it was less than 1 million. Now it is 43 million. Money came from rich, gone for cleaning water. This is like Robin hood without violence. @Rehan he didnt purchase, nor he purchases expensive things, he even donated his salarym he dont run businesses to earn. He has been donating gifts he receives. His family is living common man's life. Please dont compare Modi or Kejriwal with IK.

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Nemo the no one

Feb 21, 2015 11:23am

By the way its Indian rupees only not in Pakistani rupees. In Pakistani rupees the auction prise is near about Rs. 67 mn.

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P Juneja

Feb 21, 2015 11:30am

Is it Modi's suite or of Madonna.

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ram

Feb 21, 2015 11:35am

Rs. 7 crores of Pakistan currency ,

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Kautiliya

Feb 21, 2015 11:44am

Thank you Modiji for improving the dress code of Indian Ministers,and the Secretaries and Department Heads It was long over due The Indian High Commissioners and Foreign Ministers and their staff should take note as well.

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karan sharma

Feb 21, 2015 12:30pm

@Rehan he doesn't purchase any suite like that It is gifited to him by a surat based diamond businessman specially for his efforts to make india ahead :)

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Kaly

Feb 21, 2015 01:03pm

This man is incredible..

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Lafanga

Feb 21, 2015 01:21pm

@Jason Yes tasteless. Who in their right mind would wear a suit with their name engraved all over it and to top it off, wear it when receiving president of the USA. I think Modi has got inferiority complex. He lacks the stature and importance of Obama so he thought he can close the gap by putting his name all over his suit LOL

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OOuch...

Feb 21, 2015 02:31pm

It wasn't tasteless,it's taste is equal to 43 million 'GOLGAPPAS'....

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Farrukh Sarfraz

Feb 21, 2015 02:40pm

It is interesting to see comments justifying the sale and utilisation of proceeds for a good cause. What about accepting and wearing the suit in first place. Is the purpose for wearing self glorification and when pressure mounts, find a good exit i.e. Sell the suit for a good cause - create a smoke screen to cover.

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rakesh

Feb 21, 2015 02:46pm

@Rehan please do some research before. Modi was gifted with this suit by some one. he has not spend a single penny.

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Mohammed Shuaib Sheikh

Feb 21, 2015 02:52pm

@Narasimha murky Indians will regret US's friendship as Pakistanis do now. The US is afraid of China's growing status as an economic and military power. It wants India to be its proxy against China in the region and that needs massive spending on weapons. The US will develop close relationships with the Indian military and use the military, by passing the elected governments, to spend on weapons un necessarily. When China has never crossed its borders to wage war.

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Insaan

Feb 21, 2015 02:56pm

@Jay This is not the first time Modi has auctioned the personal gift items for a social cause. He did it routinely when he was CM of Gujarat, and money went for a social scheme of educating girl child in poor family! You can hate Modi howsoever you want, but at least know the facts, please.

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Percy

Feb 21, 2015 03:06pm

The question to ask is : While millions of infants still suffer from Polio in Pakistan - A disease eradicated in India since several years - your PM Sharif lives an extremely lavish lifestyle. What a sad contrast in your impoverished country.

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mimi sur

Feb 21, 2015 03:58pm

What do you mean by tasteless ? A gift to PM is being auctioned and money raised by auction will be utilized for noble purposes . A rich man's 'aim' is being fulfilled, some money is being raised.

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Janu Not-German

Feb 21, 2015 05:34pm

Had you used these 43 Million Rupees to provide facilities for your 8000 strong workforce instead of buying a tasteless dress they would have been much happier

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Janu Not-German

Feb 21, 2015 05:35pm

@Rehan IK and humble background? There was never anything humble about IK - ever

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Realist

Feb 21, 2015 06:04pm

@nsiahnt singh Every country has a few people who recurringly feel ashamed, but still live most years of life in same country.

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Okay

Feb 21, 2015 06:13pm

@nsiahnt singh hahaha... U tried your best.. By changing the name.. But everybody got you. Must have lost someone in Peshawar blast..feeling very sorry for you buddy

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Okay

Feb 21, 2015 06:20pm

@Lafanga i have followed you.. Being a citizen of Pakistan, you have so much to say..i wonder what would have u done if u had got a chance to be in Indian side..lol. Good skills though..,but becomes laughable..

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Iqbal

Feb 21, 2015 07:28pm

This guy is a true businessman. First create a hype and them sell his suit for millions.

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rjack

Feb 22, 2015 12:10am

Its good business for Modi,Buy low sell high.

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gauku

Feb 22, 2015 12:23am

I still don't understand what crime he did by wearing a suit gifted by someone and then auctioning it for a noble cause.. if he would have directly auctioned it without using, it might not have had that much value and would have reduced the donation. why do people have to dig something negative in each and every act.

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prem

Feb 22, 2015 05:49am

@Mohammed Shuaib Sheikh Agreed, you paid dearly for the freindship with US.Unfortunately,the relationship was itself based on "client state- master" model and ,hence, you met with that treatment.Now, you guys following the same principle with china as well.These powers use Pak on rental basis to get their grand design executed in this part of world.Just go back to British Raj times. Muslim league was formed to serve and promote british interests in India.So, it runs in your gene. India deals with all countries on the basis of mutual respect, equality and soveregnty.Anyway,thank you for your advice.

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prem

Feb 22, 2015 06:05am

@nsiahnt singh The way you mentioned your indian name, one gets doubt whether you are indian or pakistani in indian name. Anyways, how did you arrive at the cost of suit at Rs.10 lakhs ? Did the maker of suit gave you cost of production..? You cannot conclude based on media or reference in some forum.Secondly, if you are ashamed to live in india under PM Modi, nobody stops you migrating to Pakistan, the land of pure. You can enjoy the " second/third class citizenship " meant for non-muslim. Decide soon, for Modi is going to rule next 10 years and do not live with shame for a decade.

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Narasimha murty

Feb 22, 2015 11:06am

@Mohammed Shuaib Sheikh , Sir, I would like to see leaders of third world countries focus on growth , development and improvement of living standards of their people . Wars bring us agony . Nothing wrong if we all prosper !

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chander

Feb 24, 2015 11:16am

@Farrukh Sarfraz What silly rubbish. You are talking as if he was dealing in narcotics and created a smoke screen by auctioning the suit to hide his criminality when all he did was honor a family friend by accepting a Rs. 7000 suit and wearing it on his son's wedding day.

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