Top News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned to India on Thursday after visiting five countries. During this visit, PM Modi also took special and valuable gifts from India for the leaders there. After reaching UAE, Prime Minister Modi presented gifts to the President, Crown Prince and Queen Mother on behalf of India. PM Modi presented ‘Rogan Painting’ (Tree of Life) to the President of UAE.

‘Rogan Painting’: It is a very rare and beautiful textile art of Kutch region of Gujarat, which is known for its fine workmanship and bright colors. In this, the design of ‘Tree of Life’ is considered very old and symbolic. It symbolizes life, connectedness, strength, newness and continuity.

Its roots are in the earth and branches reach towards the sky, reflecting the balance between tradition and progress, which also matches the UAE’s philosophy. The colors used in it look bright and shiny on the cloth. This art is an example of slow but very fine and durable workmanship.

Besides, PM Modi also presented India’s special ‘Kesar Mango’ and ‘Meghalaya Pineapple’ to the UAE President.

‘Kesar Mango’: There is a special and GI tagged mango from Gujarat, which is also called the ‘Queen of Mangoes’. It is believed to have started from Junagadh. Its pulp is golden-orange like saffron, fiberless and very aromatic. In Gujarat it is especially eaten during big celebrations and hospitality in the form of ‘Aamras’, which shows the rich tradition and warmth of the place.

Meghalaya Pineapple: These GI tagged pineapples are counted among the best fruits in the world. These fruits grow in the clean and hilly land of Meghalaya. Their taste is very sweet and aromatic. There is very little sourness in these. These are also considered good for health because they contain an enzyme called bromelain, which helps in digestion and reduces inflammation. They are also rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants.

Also, PM Modi took ‘Koftgiri Khanjar’ and ‘Mithila Makhana’ for the Crown Prince of UAE.

Koftgiri dagger: This is a traditional ceremonial dagger with beautiful work of Koftagiri art. This is a rare handicraft done by Sikligar and traditional metal artisans in Udaipur, Rajasthan. In this, very fine gold and silver wires are embedded in the iron, creating designs of flowers and geometric shapes. Earlier it was under the patronage of Rajput kings and made weapons an art and a status symbol. Even today only a few artisans are carrying forward this tradition.

Just like there is a tradition of ‘Khanjar’ in UAE, similarly this Indian Khanjar is also a symbol of courage, honor and royal heritage. This is a special symbol showing the friendship and cultural respect between India and UAE.

Mithila Makhana: Mithila Makhana is a special product of Mithila region of Bihar. It has also got GI tag. It is grown in ponds and reservoirs. These are light, crunchy and very nutritious. Proteins, minerals and antioxidants are found in abundance in them. It is also used as food, as a snack, and in religious traditions.

Apart from this, Prime Minister Modi also presented gifts to the Queen Mother of UAE, which included ‘Karimnagar Filigree Box’, ‘Maheshwari Silk Cloth’ and ‘Chak Hao Rice’.

Karimnagar Filigree Box: This is a very fine and beautiful box made of silver, which is an example of the famous carved metal art of Karimnagar, Telangana. In this, with a lot of hard work, beautiful embossed designs are made on the silver sheet with a hammer. This box depicts a royal procession scene, including elephants and howdahs (royal riders). It is a symbol of pride, honor and celebration. It is not just a piece of art but also a cultural heritage.

Maheshwari Silk Fabric: Maheshwari Silk is a very beautiful and famous handloom tradition of India, which originated in the city of Maheshwar in Madhya Pradesh. This cloth is light, soft and has a slight shine. It is made by mixing silk and cotton, which makes it comfortable and also looks very beautiful.

This tradition was promoted in the 18th century by Queen Ahilyabai Holkar, who made Maheshwar a major center of art and culture. Its special thing is its ‘reversible border’, that is, it can be worn from both the sides. This cloth is not just a garment but also a symbol of women’s leadership and traditional craftsmanship.

Chak Hao Rice: Chak Hao rice, popularly known as the ‘black rice’ of Manipur, is a prized and aromatic rice variety coming from the fertile valleys of Northeast India. Traditionally considered the ‘royal rice’ of Manipur, this rice was once reserved only for royalty and special ceremonies.

Apart from its unique taste and deep purple color, Chak Hao rice is also highly valued for its richness in nutrients. It contains high amounts of dietary fiber, iron and antioxidants. Besides, it is also famous for its anti-inflammatory and heart beneficial properties. Apart from this, the slowly digesting carbohydrates present in it provide energy to the body for a long time.