PM Modi Gifts 7.5-Carat Green Diamond To Lady Jill, Upanishads To Joe Biden

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on his first state visit to the US, presented special gifts to President Joe Biden, and a green diamond to First Lady Jill Biden.

PM Modi gifted a handcrafted sandalwood box to President Joe Biden, and a green diamond to First Lady Jill Biden.

PM Modi is presenting a special gift which symbolises the Sahasra Poorna Chandrodayam celebration rituals as a special gesture to President Biden. A special sandalwood box, sourced from Mysore, Karnataka has been handcrafted by a master craftsman from Jaipur, Rajasthan. It has intricately carved flora and fauna patterns.

The box contains the idol of Ganesha, Hindu deity considered as the destroyer of obstacles and the one who is worshipped first among all gods. Every auspicious occasion begins with prayers to Lord Ganesha. This silver idol of Ganesha has been handcrafted by a family of fifth generation silversmiths of Kolkata.

It also has a diya (oil lamp), a copper plate, and 'Das Danam' or the ten donations, which signifies the donations made on this occasion.

PM Modi presents The Ten Principal Upanishads to Joe Biden

PM Modi also gifted a copy of the first edition print of the book, 'The Ten Principal Upanishads' published by Faber and Faber Ltd of London and printed at the University Press Glasgow to President Joe Biden.

In 1937, WB Yeats published an English translation of the Indian Upanishads, co-authored with Shri Purohit Swami. The translation and collaboration between the two authors occurred throughout 1930s and it was one of the final works of Yeats.

A copy of the first edition print of this book, 'The Ten Principal Upanishads' published by M/s Faber and Faber Ltd of London and printed at the University Press Glasgow has been gifted to President Biden by PM Modi.

Green diamond significance

The diamond is eco-friendly as resources like solar and wind power were used in its making. The green diamond is sculpted with precision and care using cutting edge technology. It emits only 0.028 grams of carbon per carat and is certified by the Gemological Lab, IGI (International Gemological Institute).

Crafted using sustainable resources like solar and wind power, it also embodies eco-friendliness, the press release stated.

The extraordinary gemstone showcases the hallmarks of excellence through the 4C's: Cut, Colour, Carat and Clarity.

The extraordinary gemstone was placed in a box, known as kar-e-kalamdani, which beautifully captures the exquisite craftsmanship of Kashmir.

What Bidens gift PM Modi

The president and first lady presented PM Modi with a handmade, antique American book galley from the early 20th Century. They also gifted Modi a vintage American camera, accompanied by an archival facsimile print of George Eastman's Patent of the first Kodak camera, and a hardcover book of American wildlife photography.

PM Modi is on an official state visit to the US, where he led a historic event at the UN Headquarters earlier in the day to commemorate the 9th International Day of Yoga, attended by UN officials, diplomats and prominent personalities.