Gifts from India to G20 Leaders

• 14 Sep 2023

Source: IE

Why in News?

The G20 Summit 2023 held in Delhi recently served as a platform for world leaders to experience India's rich traditions and cultural diversity through a curated selection of handcrafted gifts.

• These gifts included a variety of handcrafted items sourced from different regions of India, showcasing Bharat’s cultural and artisanal heritage.

What are the Gifts Presented to the Leaders?

• Sandook: 
  • All the Gift items were meticulously packaged in a Sandook (chest) adorned with intricate brass detailing.
  • This chest was handcrafted using Sheesham (Indian rosewood), known for its durability and distinctive grain pattern.
• Aromatic and Culinary Delights:
  • The gift hamper included a pack of Saffron from Jammu and Kashmir, renowned as the world's most expensive spice, celebrated for its culinary and medicinal properties.
• The Champagne Of Teas: 
  • Pekoe Darjeeling and Nilgiri Tea are two illustrious gems from India's tea tapestry, epitomizing the delicate art of tea cultivation and infusion.
    • Darjeeling Tea is the most valued tea in the world, located on the misty hills of West Bengal at altitudes of 3,000-5,000 feet. The soil's unique character gets reflected in a highly aromatic and invigorating cup of tea.
    • Nilgiri Tea comes from the most spectacular mountain range in south India. Cultivated amidst the mountains' lush terrain at an elevation of 1,000-3,000 ft, the tea is relatively mild.
• Araku Coffee:
  • Araku Coffee is the world's first terroir-mapped coffee, grown on organic and sustainable plantations in the Araku Valley of Andhra Pradesh.
  • Farmers work by hand in small farms and grow the coffee naturally, without the use of machines or chemicals.
• Traditional Honey from the Sundarbans: 
  • From the Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest globally, located in the Bay of Bengal, came a special honey harvested by traditional honey collectors.
  • Besides being 100% natural and pure, Sundarban honey is also high in flavonoids (various compounds found naturally in many fruits and vegetables) and provides valuable health benefits.
• Perfume from Kannauj: 
  • The Zighrana Ittar from Kannauj in Uttar Pradesh showcased India's centuries-old tradition of crafting exquisite perfumes, adding a sensory dimension to the gifts.
• Exquisite Shawls from Kashmir: 
  • The gift package also featured a Kashmiri Pashmina shawl sourced from the Changthangi goat, found only at elevations of 14,000 feet above sea level.
  • The wool is collected by combing (and not shearing) the undercoat of this goat.
• Khadi Scarves:
  • The Khadi scarf, personally presented to each leader during their visit to the Rajghat, held immense symbolic value.
  • Khadi, with its origins in India's independence movement and its evolution into a symbol of sustainable fashion, epitomizes high-quality and eco-conscious clothing.
• Commemorative Coins and Stamps:
  • In July 2023, the Prime Minister of India released special coins and stamps to commemorate India's G20 Presidency during the inauguration of Bharat Mandapam.
  • These designs drew inspiration from India's G20 logo and the theme of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.'
  • One of the postage stamps, rendered in gold color, took inspiration from the lotus, India's national flower, as represented in the G20 Presidency logo.