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What Is Sohari Leaf On Which PM Modi Enjoyed Dinner During His Trinidad And Tobago Visit?

During his visit to Trinidad and Tobago, PM Modi was served dinner on a traditional Sohari leaf. The leaf is not only considered eco-friendly but also holds a lot of cultural importance, especially among the locals with Indian roots.

by Ashmeet Guliani
What Is Sohari Leaf On Which PM Modi Enjoyed Dinner During His Trinidad And Tobago Visit?

PM Modi is currently on his official visit to Trinidad and Tobago, a country in the Caribbean. He recently shared a post of himself enjoying dinner hosted by the country’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, where he enjoyed food served on a ‘Sohari leaf’, a leaf that holds deep meaning for the people of the country. Here’s more on it.

PM Modi Enjoys Dinner Served On Sohari Leaf


PM Modi is now on his official visit to Trinidad and Tobago. He shared an image of himself enjoying dinner hosted by Trinidad’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, where he’s seen eating on a ‘Sohari leaf’. He wrote in his post, “The dinner hosted by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar had food served on a Sohari leaf, which is of great cultural significance to the people of Trinidad & Tobago, especially those with Indian roots. Here, food is often served on this leaf during festivals and other special programmes.”

As per the post, Sohari leaves are used during festivals and special occasions. They carry strong cultural meaning for many locals, especially those with Indian roots.

The menu may have been special, but what stood out was the large green sohari leaf. Trinidad and Tobago is home to a big Indian-origin population, and serving food on this traditional leaf shows respect and connection and also Indo-Caribbean dining customs. It also reflects the growing bond between the two countries.

Also Read: From Kashmiri Pashmina Shawl To Bidri Vase, These Are The Gifts PM Modi Presented To Dignitaries In Ghana

An Age-Old Tradition

You might think it looks like a banana leaf, and yes, it’s similar, but it is also slightly different. These leaves, scientifically called ‘Calathea lutea’, are found in wet tropical regions like the Caribbean. They are commonly used in local cooking, either as wrappers or as eco-friendly plates to serve food. Moreover, serving food on these leaves is also an age-old tradition which holds a lot of cultural value, especially in East Indian religious events and weddings. As per The Economic Times, the term sohari means “food for the gods” in Bhojpuri.

Besides being eco-friendly and chemical-free, sohari leaves carry emotional and cultural meaning for Indo-Trinidadians. As per News18, eating hot food on these leaves is believed to boost digestion, enhance taste, and offer antioxidants that are good for health.

Many people reacted positively to PM Modi’s post. One user wrote, “This blend of formal diplomacy with traditional serving methods shows how culture can bridge political divides. Powerful symbolism.”, while another added, “That sounds wonderful! It’s great to see cultural traditions being honoured in such a meaningful way. Food really brings us together, especially during special occasions.”, both showing appreciation for the respectful gesture.

Also Read: PM Modi Calls Shubhanshu Shukla On ISS; Talks Aamras, Moong Dal Halwa And 16 Sunsets A Day

We also think this was not just a regular dinner. Serving food on ‘Sohari leaves’ to PM Modi was both meaningful and respectful. It reflected a growing friendship between India and Trinidad & Tobago. Let us know what you think of this beautiful gesture.

Cover Image Courtesy: Narendra Modi/X

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First Published: July 04, 2025 4:42 PM