PM Modi's gift to Bidens: Sandalwood box, 24-carat gold coin & 7.5-carat green diamond

During his first official State visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was greeted at the White House by US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. During a private dinner thrown by the Bidens for PM Modi, the leaders exchanged gifts.

These special gifts reflect Indian tradition, these gift items are given on special occasions. 10 special types of gifts are considered as part of the Sahastra Purna Chandrodayam festival.

On this occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave many special gifts to the President of the United States of America, representing the Indian tradition.

Highlighting the customary of Das Danam or donations of ten different kinds--Gaudaan (cow), Bhudaan (land), Tildaan (sesame seeds), Hiranyadaan (gold), Ajyadaan (ghee or clarified butter), Dhaanyadaan (food grains), Vastradaan (clothes), Guddaan (jaggery), Raupyadaan (silver) and Lavandaan (salt)-- during 'Sahasra Poorna Chandrodayam' celebrations,

As the official gifts, PM Modi gave a handcrafted sandalwood box to President Joe Biden, and a green diamond to First Lady Jill Biden.

PM Modi has gifted a special sandalwood box to Joe Biden. The box is made by a skilled craftsman from Jaipur, Rajasthan. The sandal used in it was brought from Mysore in Karnataka. These boxes are engraved with shapes of plants and animals.

The sandalwood box given to Biden has an idol of Lord Ganesha. Shri Ganesha is said to be the destroyer of obstacles and is the first among all deities. Sandalwood idol of Ganesha placed in a box is created by artists from Kolkata.

According to Indian tradition, it is customary to keep lamps in the houses. The place where it is kept is considered sacred. In this, prayers are offered to God by lighting a cotton wick. PM Modi gifted a silver lamp to Biden. By the fifth generation artisans of Kolkata.

Among the gifts given to Joe Biden is a copper plate. This plot has been sent from Uttar Pradesh. It is also called copper leaf. A verse is also written in it. In ancient times it was used for keeping records as well as for chanting and writing.

Biden has also been presented with a handmade silver coconut. This coconut has been prepared by the artisans of West Bengal. Apart from this, a piece of sandalwood from Mysore has been given as land donation. White sesame seeds from Tamil Nadu have been gifted for Tilden.

The gift includes a 24K pure gold coin made by artisans in Rajasthan called hiranyadaan . Along with this there is ghee from Punjab. This is known as Ajyadan. Along with this, the marks of Maharashtra and the salt of Gujarat were also given under Drishti Sahasra Chandra.

The president and first lady welcomed PM Modi, and before they entered the building, they posed for pictures and spoke. The Bidens presented PM Modi with a handcrafted, early 20th-century American book galley.