Handcrafted Mysore Sandalwood Box, 7.5 Carat Green Diamond, Desi Ghee Among Others: PM Modi's Gift To Bidens
Images of Prime Minister Narendra Modi being hosted by US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden for an intimate dinner, just a day ahead of the high-profile state dinner
Gifts were exchanged between them. PM Modi gifted a special Mysore sandalwood box handcrafted by a master craftsman from Rajasthan and containing a silver idol of Lord Ganesha, among other gifts to the Biden. (Image Source: Twitter/@ANI)
Gifts were exchanged between them. Biden and his wife gifted PM Modi a handmade, antique American book galley from the early 20th Century among other gifts and PM Modi gifted a special Mysore sandalwood box handcrafted by a master craftsman from Rajasthan and containing a silver idol of Lord Ganesha, among other gifts. (Image Source: Twitter/@ANI)
The silver idol of Lord Ganesha, a Hindu deity considered the destroyer of obstacles and the one who is worshipped first among all gods, that PM Modi giften the Bidens . The idol has been handcrafted by a family of fifth-generation silversmiths from Kolkata. (Image Source: Twitter/@ANI)
The gifts also included a silver Diya (oil lamp). Diya occupies a sacred space in every Hindu household. This silver diya has also been handcrafted by artisans from the family of fifth-generation silversmiths in Kolkata. (Image Source: Twitter/@ANI)
Image of a silver coconut. A delicately handcrafted silver coconut by the skilled artisans of West Bengal is offered in place of a Cow for Gaudaan (donation of Cow). (Image Source: Twitter/@ANI)
Image of a piece of sandalwood that was also a gift. A fragrant piece of sandalwood sourced from Mysore, Karnataka is offered in place of land for Bhudaan (donation of land). (Image Source: Twitter/@ANI)
Image of Til in a small container. Til or white sesame seeds sourced from Tamil Nadu, offered for Tildaan (donation of sesame seeds). (Image Source: Twitter/@ANI)
Image of a gold coin in a small container. Handcrafted in Rajasthan, this 24K pure and hallmarked gold coin is offered as Hiranyadaan (donation of gold). (Image Source: Twitter/@ANI)
The box also contains 99.5% pure and hallmarked silver coin that has been aesthetically crafted by Rajasthan artisans and is offered as Raupyadaan(donation of silver). (Image Source: Twitter/@ANI)
Image of salt in a small container. Lavan or salt from Gujarat is offered for Lavandaan (donation of salt). (Image Source: Twitter/@ANI)
Image of Ghee in a small container. Ghee or clarified butter which was gifted was sourced from Punjab. (Image Source: Twitter/@ANI)
A handwoven textured Tussar silk cloth was also gifted in a small container. The fabric was sourced from Jharkhand. (Image Source: Twitter/@ANI)
Image of long-grained rice in a small container. The long-grained rice which has been gifted was sourced from Uttarakhand. (Image Source: Twitter/@ANI)
Image of a piece of Gud or Jaggery in a small container. This jaggery was sourced from the state of Maharashtra. (Image Source: Twitter/@ANI)
PM Narendra Modi also gifted a lab-grown 7.5-carat green diamond to US First Lady Dr Jill Biden. The diamond reflects earth-mined diamonds’ chemical and optical properties. It is also eco-friendly, as eco-diversified resources like solar and wind power were used in its making. It is a beacon of responsible luxury that symbolises India’s 75 years of freedom and sustainable International relations. (Image Source: Twitter/@ANI)
Image of Papier mâché. A box in which the Green Diamond is placed. Known as kar-e-kalamdani, Kashmir’s exquisite Papier mâché involves sakthsazior meticulous preparation of paper pulp and naqqashi, where skilled artisans paint elaborate designs. (Image Source: Twitter/@ANI)
PM Modi also gifted President Biden a copy of the first edition print of the book, ‘The Ten Principal Upanishads’ published by Faber and Faber Ltd of London and printed at the University Press Glasgow. (Image Source: Twitter/@ANI)