From Kashmiri, Assam stole to Ittar, tea: PM Modi's gifts to G20 leaders signify India's rich culture

For the G20 Summit, world leaders and foreign delegates recently travelled to India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave them unique gifts before they left for their nations. These gifts are a carefully chosen assortment of handcrafted items that reveal much about the rich cultural heritage and traditions of India.

A carefully curated selection of gifts, including Sundarban honey, Kashmiri saffron, Baranasi stoles, Araku coffee, Darjeeling tea, and others, were chosen to accurately reflect India's distinctive uniqueness. Look at the gifts that the G20 leaders received:

Kashmiri pashmina stole: 
The Government of India presented a Kashmiri Pashmina Stole in a Papier Mache box to the spouse of Brazil President Lula da Silva, Rosângela da Silva.

This Kashmiri Pashmina stole has many enchanting stories woven into its fabric. The wool is obtained by combing (and not shearing) the undercoat of specific Himalayan goats. Skilled artisans hand-spin, weave, and embroider their delicate fibres using age-old processes. The result is a light, warm and intricate stole that embodies timeless elegance and craftsmanship.

Assam stole:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted an Assam stole in a Kadam Wood Box to Iriana Joko Widodo, the spouse of Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

Assam stoles are traditional pieces of clothing woven in the northeastern state of Assam. This stole has been crafted by skilled artisans using Muga silk. These stoles are known for their intricate designs and motifs that often draw inspiration from the region's natural surroundings, often showcasing elements like flora and fauna.

Kanjivaram stole:
PM Modi further presented Kanjivaram Stole to Yuko Kishida, the spouse of his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida. Kanjivaram silk creations are a true masterpiece of Indian weaving, renowned for their rich and vibrant colours, intricate designs, and unparalleled craftsmanship.

'Kanjivaram' derives its name from a small south Indian village – Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu, from where the craft originated. The stole is handcrafted from pure mulberry silk threads, by skilled weavers who have inherited the tradition and techniques from their ancestors. It is a very durable and strong fabric. At the same time, it exudes a queenly elegance, sophistication and grace.

This stole was presented in a Kadam wood Jali box. Kadam (Burflower tree) wood is considered auspicious in Indian culture and features in Indian religions and mythologies. This box has been handcrafted with 'Jali' or latticework by the artisans of Kerala.

Banarasi stole:
PM Modi presented an elegant Banarasi stole to the spouse of the UK's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Akshata Murty in Kadam Wood Box.

Banarasi silk stoles are India's elegant treasures. Handcrafted in Varanasi, they're soft like dreams. Luxurious silk threads create intricate patterns, reflecting the city's cultural richness and its weaving heritage.
This stole was presented in a Kadam wood box. Kadam (Burflower tree) wood is considered auspicious in Indian culture and features in Indian religions and mythologies. This box has been handcrafted by the artisans of Karnataka.

Iakkat Stole:
PM Modi further extended the gift to the spouse of Mauritius PM Pravind Jugnauth, Kobita Ramdanee. He presented the Iakkat Stole packed in the Teak Wood Box.

Ikkat Stole is a timeless masterpiece created by the artisans of Odisha – this is a traditional mulberry silk stole adorned with the exquisite Ikat technique. 'Ikat' is a meticulous dyeing process on silk or cotton. It involves tying and dying specific sections of threads to produce a symphony of shades while keeping the tied portions untouched.

Banarasi Silk Stole:
PM Modi presented a Banarasi Silk Stole in an Ebony Jali Box to the spouse of Argentina's President Alberto Fernández, Marcela Luchetti. 

Banarasi silk stoles are India's elegant treasures. Handcrafted in Varanasi, they're soft like dreams. Luxurious silk threads create intricate patterns, reflecting the city's cultural richness and its weaving heritage.
The other handcrafted artefacts included a Khadi scarf, Sheeshamwood Sandook with Brass Patti, Araku Coffee, Kashmir Saffron and many more.

Sheeshamwood Sandook:
Another gift was Sheeshamwood Sandook with Brass Patti. 'Sandook' is the Hindi word for a treasure chest. Traditionally, it is a strong box made of solid old wood or metal, with a lid on top and embellishments all over. It holds a special place in Indian cultural and folk legends, besides being the epitome of exquisite workmanship.

This Sandook has been hand-crafted using Sheesham (Indian Rosewood), which is valued for its strength, durability, distinctive grain patterns and rich colour. The brass patti (strip) is delicately etched and embedded into the wood, transforming the piece into a masterpiece of visual delight and tactile splendour. It is worthy of being treasure on its own, besides storing other treasures within.

The present also included the most exotic spice in the world, Saffron from Kashmir.  Saffron ('Zafran' in Persian, 'Kesar' in Hindi) is the most expensive spice in the world. Across cultures and civilizations, saffron has been valued for its unparalleled culinary and medicinal value.

Darjeeling and Nilgiri tea:
Another present was the Pekoe Darjeeling and Nilgiri Tea. Pekoe Darjeeling and Nilgiri Tea are two illustrious gems from Bharat's tea tapestry, epitomizing the delicate art of tea cultivation and infusion.

The government of India also has the world's first terroir-mapped coffee, Araku coffee. It is grown on organic plantations in the Araku Valley of Andhra Pradesh. These coffee beans bear the essence of the valley's rich soil and temperate climate.

Zighrana Ittar:
Adding to the list of gifts, the government of India also presented Zighrana Ittar to the global leaders. Zighrana Ittar is a masterpiece of fragrance hailing from Kannauj, a city in Uttar Pradesh.

'Ittar' (meaning 'perfume') is an essential oil derived from botanical sources. It showcases a centuries-old tradition of exquisite perfume crafting. Skillfully distilled using a method passed down through generations, Ittar is an ode to precision and patience. Master artisans delicately gather rare blossoms like jasmine and roses at dawn, when their fragrance is most potent.

PM Modi released special G20 postage stamps and coins:
Moreover, to commemorate India's G20 Presidency, PM Modi released special G20 postage stamps and coins on July 26, 2023. The G20 India Stamps and Coins were released during the inauguration of Bharat Mandapam at Pragati Maidan. The designs of both the coins and stamps draw inspiration from India's G20 Logo and theme of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' or 'One Earth. One Family. One Future'. The two Postage Stamps of denomination 20 each, celebrate India's G20 Presidency period from December 1 2022-November 30, 2023.