Interim Budget 2024: Nirmala Sitharaman chooses blue & cream Kantha-Embroidered Silk Saree

Team Udayavani, Feb 1, 2024, 11:50 AM IST

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Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman made a stylish statement as she arrived at the finance ministry to present the Interim Budget 2024, adorned in a captivating blue and cream tussar saree.

The silk saree featured intricate Kantha embroidery, a specialized thread design predominantly crafted by artisans from West Bengal.

Known for her inclination towards promoting Indian textiles and the ‘vocal for local’ message, Sitharaman’s choice of attire resonates with her commitment to traditional handloom sarees.

The ash-blue colored saree showcased a myriad of motifs, complemented by the exquisite Kantha embroidery, giving it a unique and elegant touch. Sitharaman paired it with a cream blouse and a stole, enhancing the overall grace of her ensemble.

The Finance Minister, holding a red digital tablet, exuded elegance as she posed for photographs in front of the Ministry of Finance. Sitharaman’s hair was neatly tied back, and she wore a small bindi and a gold bangle, completing her poised look.

This departure from her usual color choices of red, brown, and yellow showcased Sitharaman’s versatile taste in sarees. The Finance Minister’s sartorial choices have consistently included handloom sarees, emphasizing her support for traditional weaves.

In previous budget sessions, Sitharaman has showcased a variety of handloom sarees.

• In 2023, she opted for a red and black temple border saree with Kasuti threadwork.
• In 2022, a rust and maroon handloom Bomkai saree from Odisha graced the occasion.
• In 2021, Sitharaman wore a classic red and off-white silk Pochampally saree, adorned with ikat patterns and a green border.
• In 2020, she chose a bright yellow-gold silk saree, symbolizing prosperity.

Apart from her saree choices, Sitharaman’s budgets have featured a stylistic constant – the red ‘Bahi Khata’. Since 2021, the Finance Minister transitioned to a paperless budget presentation, carrying a tablet in a distinctive red cover.