PM Modi presented Jill Biden with an eco-friendly 7.5 carat lab-grown diamond placed in Kashmir’s beautiful paper mache box.
Srinagar: Paper machine craftsmen in Kashmir are delighted that one of their products – the exquisite diamond box gifted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to US First Lady Jill Biden – has graced the White House.
PM Modi presented Jill Biden with an eco-friendly 7.5 carat lab-grown diamond placed in Kashmir’s beautiful paper mache box.
US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden received the prime minister for an intimate dinner at the White House on Wednesday, where they discussed a range of issues, exchanged gifts and enjoyed a musical tribute to the regions of India.
Tassaduq Hussain, a craftsman, said he is happy that the Kashmiri paper machine box has reached Bidens’ home.
“Paper Machie Artists are very happy that the paper machie product has reached Ms. Jill Biden as it will increase the demand for this artifact. It will benefit us,” Hussain told PTI.
He said that this kind of promotion will create more opportunities for the artisans.
“Today it is recognized on an international level. Those who didn’t know about paper machine art will now get to know it,” he added.
Syed Amjid Shah, owner of a paper machine unit in the old town area here, said it was a moment of pride when the prime minister presented the box to his White House hosts.
“Paper machine boxes are exported to many countries. These boxes are also used as gifts and today it is a proud moment for us when Prime Minister Modi presented the first lady of America with a diamond which came in a paper machie box. lucky that our art has been promoted to this level,” said Shah.
Bashir Ahmed, another craftsman, said it was the first time that paper machine was promoted to such a level.
PM Modi promoted this art, which has sparked a wave of joy among artisans. This was the first time that the paper machine product was promoted at this level. We also hope in the future that such dignitaries of India will also help us to promote this art which will benefit Kashmiri artisans,” he said.
Mahmood Shah, director of the Department of Handicrafts, said Prime Minister Modi consistently promotes Kashmiri handicrafts be it ‘Kani’ shawl or ‘Sozni’ pashmina through his attire.
“Last year he donated pashmina scarf in a paper-machine box to the Prime Minister of Sweden and today we got the news that the Prime Minister gifted a souvenir to Ms. Biden in a paper-machine box,” Shah said.
He said it was an acknowledgment of the fact that Kashmiri handicrafts promoted by the prime minister are gaining global recognition.
“We would like such things to be repeated in the future as well,” he added.
(Only the headline has been reworked by India.com staff. Copy is from a syndicated feed)