Adding a cultural touch to his diplomatic trip to France, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented exclusive gifts of Indian craftsmanship to French President Emmanuel Macron, his wife Brigitte Macron, Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, French National Assembly Speaker Yelle Braun-Pivet and President of the French Senate Gérard Larcher. The gifts included a rich heritage of Indian textiles, arts and crafts.
PM Modi presented a unique replica of the sitar to President Macron, which was made entirely of sandalwood. Sandalwood carvings, an ancient craft practiced for centuries in southern India, depict images of Goddess Saraswati and Lord Ganesha holding a sitar, as well as depictions of the peacock, India’s national bird. This replica incorporates the Indian culture.
First Lady Brigitte Macron received a Pochampally silk ikat sari, which was kept in a decorative sandalwood box. The saree originated from Pochampally in Telangana, India, and is known for its vibrant colors and intricate designs. The sandalwood box is decorated with elaborate carvings depicting traditional motifs and scenes from history.
A ‘marble inlay work table’ was gifted to Prime Minister Elizabeth Borne. The Marble Inlay Work Table is manufactured using high quality marble from Makrana, Rajasthan and semi-precious stones sourced from various parts of India, famous for its eye-catching artistry in its marble inlay work. The stones are carefully cut, engraved and set in marble to create a beautiful, colorful piece of art.
Yael Brown-Pivet, Speaker of the French National Assembly, receives a hand-knotted silk cashmere carpet, renowned globally for its softness and intricate craftsmanship. Woven with elaborate patterns, these carpets exhibit an attractive feature of appearing in different colors when viewed from different angles, adding to their artistic appeal.
Government sources said that each of these gifts serves as a symbol of India’s rich heritage, reflecting the diverse cultural ties that bind the countries. PM Modi was honored during France’s Bastille Day celebrations on Friday, which was held amid tight security two weeks after the riots in France. PM Modi started a two-day visit to Paris on Thursday.
