New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted India’s rich cultural and artisanal heritage by presenting a range of specially curated traditional gifts to the leadership of Seychelles during his three-day state visit to the island nation.
To Seychelles President Patrick Herminie, PM Modi gifted a Moradabad Brass Tortoise, a finely crafted piece from Uttar Pradesh’s renowned brassware hub. The artefact reflects India’s long-standing tradition of metal craftsmanship and carries symbolic meaning of wisdom, stability, resilience, and longevity—values that also resonate with Seychelles’ iconic Aldabra giant tortoise and its natural heritage.
For First Lady Veronique Herminie, the Prime Minister presented a Bidriware Box and a Maheshwari Silk Stole. The Bidriware box, originating from Bidar in Karnataka, is known for its striking black metal finish contrasted with intricate silver inlay work, representing one of India’s most distinctive traditional metal crafts.
The Maheshwari Silk Stole, from Madhya Pradesh, reflects the elegance of India’s handloom legacy, combining silk and cotton yarns with refined geometric patterns and traditional woven designs.
To Vice President Sebastien Pillay, PM Modi gifted an Orchid Painting from Sikkim depicting India’s national bird, the peacock, surrounded by orchids. The artwork symbolically connects India and Seychelles through shared appreciation of biodiversity, with the orchid also being Seychelles’ national flower.
For Second First Lady Lina Pillay, a Kanchivaram silk fabric was presented. This iconic textile from Tamil Nadu is globally known for its rich silk texture, vibrant colours, and intricate zari craftsmanship.
To the Speaker of the National Assembly, Azarel Ernesta, the Prime Minister gifted a Toda embroidered shawl, a traditional handwoven textile of the Toda tribal community of Tamil Nadu, recognised for its distinctive red and black geometric embroidery on a white base.
Officials said the gifts collectively reflect India’s diverse cultural traditions, ranging from handloom and textile heritage to metal crafts and indigenous art forms, while also symbolising diplomatic goodwill and shared cultural values between India and Seychelles.
With inputs from IANS