Prime Minister Narendra Modi's widely discussed 'Melody' diplomacy with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni may have dominated social media conversations, but his gifting of Mithila Makhana and Madhubani paintings to foreign dignitaries also gave Bihar a distinct cultural presence on the global stage. Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, BJP state president Sanjay Saraogi, and JD(U) national executive president Sanjay Kumar Jha highlighted the significance of these gestures through social media posts on Thursday.
PM Modi's Five-Nation Tour and Bihari Gifts
PM Modi returned on Thursday after concluding his five-nation visit to the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Italy. During this tour, he presented traditional Bihari items to several foreign leaders, which were widely appreciated. CM Samrat Choudhary noted that the Prime Minister's decision to present Bihar's renowned Mithila Makhana to the Crown Prince of the UAE was a matter of pride and honor for the state.
Mithila Makhana: A Symbol of Agricultural Heritage
In a post on X, CM Samrat Choudhary said, 'The GI-tagged Mithila Makhana has today become a symbol of Bihar's rich agricultural heritage, the hard work of its farmers, and the global quality of its local produce. Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, continuous and effective efforts are underway, including the establishment of the Makhana Board, to secure global recognition for Bihar's traditional products. Today, Bihar's local heritage is attaining a new stature on the global stage. This is not only strengthening the state's cultural identity but also providing fresh momentum to its farmers, local enterprises, and the resolve to build a self-reliant Bihar.'
Madhubani Painting and Koftgari Dagger for Netherlands and UAE
BJP state chief and Darbhanga MLA Sanjay Saraogi revealed that Modi presented a fish-motif Madhubani painting to Netherlands Prime Minister Rob Jetten and gifted a dagger featuring Koftgari artwork along with Mithila's famous makhana to the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Saraogi said, 'These gifts represent not merely art and culinary delight, but serve as symbols of Mithila's rich traditions, the exquisite craftsmanship of Bihar, and the pride of our culture.'
Growing International Recognition for Mithila Makhana
JD(U) Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Kumar Jha emphasized that PM Modi's gesture reflected growing international recognition for Mithila Makhana. He stated, 'Mithila Makhana, a GI-tagged product, represents the region's rich agricultural heritage, traditional water-based farming systems, and the hard work of thousands of farmers. Known for its nutrition, it is steadily finding a place on global tables as a premium superfood. Such recognition will further strengthen its international visibility, create new market opportunities, and benefit farmers, entrepreneurs, and exporters associated with the makhana value chain.'
Madhubani Painting: A Universal Message
Jha also described the Madhubani painting gifted to the Netherlands PM as a symbol of Bihar's artistic identity. He said, 'The fish motif depicted in this painting is not merely a work of art, but a universal message of prosperity, positive energy, fertility, and a balanced coexistence with nature. This beautiful gift further reinforces India's regional artistic identity on the global stage.'
