South Africa, Aug 25: Prime minister Narendra Modi, who is on a three-day visit to South Africa to attend the 15th BRICS summit presented a traditional Naga shawl to South Africa’s first lady, Tshepo Motsepe. This exquisite textile art, crafted for centuries by Nagaland tribes, is made from locally sourced materials like cotton, silk, and wool. It features geometric and symbolic designs inspired by tribal myths, legends, and beliefs, each design carrying specific meanings and significance.
In addition, he gifted a Gond painting, a cherished tribal art form from Madhya Pradesh, to Brazilian President Lula da Silva. Gond art, derived from the Dravidian word ‘Kond,’ meaning ‘green mountain,’ is characterized by intricate patterns created using dots and lines. These paintings adorn the walls and floors of Gond households, made with locally available natural materials like charcoal, colored soil, plant sap, leaves, cow dung, and limestone powder.
To South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, PM Modi presented an exquisite Bidri work pair of Surahi. This remarkable craft has a legacy dating back 500 years, originating in Bidar and Persian culture.
The Surahi pair is adorned with intricate patterns cast into the metal and inlaid with pure silver wire. These patterns, known as “nakkashi,” have been an integral part of Bidri work, characterized by the transfer of carefully crafted patterns from paper to silver sheets. This art form, practiced in various parts of India and especially Karnataka, demands meticulous precision, skill, and dedication.
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These culturally rich gifts symbolize not only India’s artistic heritage but also its commitment to fostering stronger bonds among BRICS nations. As PM Modi emphasized during the BRICS summit, the expansion and modernization of BRICS send a message to the world that institutions need to adapt to changing times.
India’s support for expanding BRICS membership reflects its belief that new additions strengthen the organization, breathing fresh life into collective efforts.
The 15th BRICS Summit, hosted by South Africa from August 22 to August 24, 2023, gathered leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa to explore opportunities for mutual growth, sustainable development, and inclusive multilateralism. South Africa assumed the BRICS Chairmanship under the theme “BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development, and Inclusive Multilateralism” on January 1, 2023.
Following his participation in the BRICS summit, PM Modi embarked on an official visit to Greece at the invitation of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. During this visit, he is expected to engage in discussions aimed at further strengthening the ties between India and Greece. The trip underscores India’s commitment to enhancing diplomatic relations with nations worldwide, fostering collaboration, and expanding its global footprint.
