Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently served as the Guest of Honour at France’s Bastille Day parade in Paris on July 14. This visit coincides with the 25th anniversary of India’s oldest strategic partnership with France. While visiting France’s President Macron and the French First Lady, PM Modi gave them a number of valuable presents.
PM Modi Gifts Indian Handicrafts To Macaron And French First Lady
Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally presented French President Emmanuel Macron with a sandalwood replica of the musical instrument Sitar. As per Outlook India’s reports, the Prime Minister also presented a Pochampally silk ikat, enclosed in a sandalwood box, to First Lady, Brigitte Macron.
According to reports, the decorative replica of the Sitar, gifted to the president, featured images of Devi Saraswati. Devi Saraswati is widely revered as the Goddess of knowledge, music, art, speech, wisdom, and learning in Indian culture.
In contrast, the Pochampally silk ikat fabric gifted to the president’s wife has its origins in Pochampally town, Telangana. This exquisite fabric serves as a testament to India’s abundant textile heritage.
PM Modi also gifted a marble inlay work table to French counterpart Elisabeth Borne. The table showcases intricate artwork on marble using semi-precious stones.
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Silk Sarees, Sandalwood Sitar, Kashmiri Carpet And More
Reports also mentioned that the base marble used for the table is sourced from Makrana, a renowned town in Rajasthan known for its high-quality marble.
Furthermore, Gerard Larcher, the President of the French Senate, received a sandalwood hand-carved elephant named Ambavari as a gift. Additionally, PM Modi chose a hand-knitted silk Kashmiri carpet to present to Yael Braun-Pivet, the President of the French National Assembly.
During the bilateral talks, Prime Minister Modi emphasized the significance of defence ties in the Indo-French relationship, stating that France is a crucial partner in the ‘Make In India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives.
He expressed the joint aim of meeting the naval requirements of not only India but also other friendly nations, highlighting the collaboration on submarines and Indian Naval ships, reported Hindustan Times.
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The gifts not only represent India’s rich cultural heritage but also act as a means to promote and encourage the local craftsmen of our nation.
Let us know in the comments what you think about the gifts.
Cover Image Courtesy: All India Radio