From India, With Love: Exquisite Gifts Presented To World Leaders At G20 Summit

At the current G20 summit, Heads of States and Leaders representing different nations, received special gift hamper as a token of gratitude and respect. Here is a list of items in the gifted hamper.

From India, With Love: Exquisite Gifts Presented To World Leaders At G20 Summit (ANI)

Heads of State and Leaders from various countries including US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak among the other world leaders were given special gift hampers at the recent G20 conference as a sign of appreciation and respect. 

These gift hampers comprised of a specially curated box of handcrafted artefacts and products, which speak volumes about Bharat’s rich cultural traditions. 

Some of the products are the product of centuries of tradition and cherished across the world for their unparalleled workmanship and quality. These were meticulously created by the hands of Master Craftsmen. 

The items gifted are the essence of the unique bio-diversity of our country. The hamper had the following products:

Treasured Traditions: 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 an 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 color. The brass patti (strip) is delicately etched and embedded on to the wood, transforming the piece into a masterpiece of visual delight and tactile splendor. It is worthy of being treasure on its own, besides storing other treasures within.

Red Gold: The Saffron from Kashmir

Saffron (‘Zafran’ in Persian, ‘Kesar’ in Hindi) is the most exotic and expensive spice in the world. Across cultures and civilizations, saffron has been valued for its unparalleled culinary and medicinal value.

It is a treasure of nature, both rare and enticing. Each strand of it comprises of the stigma of ‘Saffron Crocus’. The stigma's crimson hue holds the concentrated essence of sun-soaked days and cool nights. Cultivating saffron is a very labor-intensive process. It requires the delicate hand-harvesting of thousands of flowers (each flower contains three crimson stigmas) to yield a mere ounce of the spice.  

Kashmiri Saffron stands as a true embodiment of exclusivity and exceptional quality. Its intense aromatic profile, vibrant color and unmatched potency sets it apart. This is due to the crisp air, abundant sunlight and well-drained soil of Kashmir, which yields saffron with a higher concentration of essential oils.

Apart from being a luxurious and sought after culinary spice, Saffron is abundantly rich in antioxidants and provides many health benefits.

The Champagne of Teas: 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. 

Darjeeling tea is the most valued tea in the world. Only tender shoots are handpicked from shrubs, located on the misty hills of West Bengal at altitudes of 3000-5000 ft. These nuances, along with the soil’s unique character get reflected in the highly aromatic and invigorating cup that comes to your table.

Nilgiri Tea comes from the most spectacular mountain range in South Bharat. Cultivated amidst the mountains’ lush terrain at an elevation of 1000-3000 ft. The tea is relatively mild. At the same time, it is renowned for its  bright and brisk liquor and clean flavour. It is a preferred choice for lemon of iced tea.

The texture of rare luxury: Kashmiri Pashmina

The Kashmiri Pashmina shawl has many enchanting stories woven into its fabric. ‘Pashm’ means wool in Persian. But in Kashmiri, it refers to the raw unspun wool of the Changthangi goat (the world’s most unique Cashmere goat) found only at a height of 14,000 feet above sea level. The wool is collected by combing (and not shearing) the undercoat of this goat. Skilled artisans hand-spin, weave, and embroider their delicate fibers using age-old processes. The result is a light, warm and intricate shawl that embodies timeless elegance and craftsmanship.

In ancient courts, Pashmina was used as an indicator of rank and nobility. The fabric was an integral part of the rituals of bestowing honor upon anyone.

Every piece of clothing made using Pashmina is a rare amalgamation - of craftsmanship, of exclusivity, of legend and of style.