Guwahati: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said PM Narendra Modi gifting an Eri Silk stole to his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni and a sample of Assam’s Joha rice to the director general of Food and Agriculture Organisation Qu Dongyu not only reflect his love for Assam, but also takes the state’s heritage and influence to the global stage.Sarma in a post on his X handle wrote: “Assam shines at the global diplomatic arena. During his visit to Italy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted an Eri Silk stole to Prime Minister of Italy, Girogia Meloni.”He said Eri silk (known as peace silk) is unique to Assam, is obtained in a cruelty-free manner and represents the state’s finest weaving traditions.He added that the Joha rice sample gifted to Qu Dongyu is a small grain rice variety unique to Assam and has a rich aroma.Besides the Eri Silk stole for Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, PM Modi gifted a Madhubani painting with fish motif to Dutch PM Rob Jetten and a Ladakhi pure wool stole to Swedish PM Ulf Kristersson during his five-nation tour.Modi gifted Kesar mangoes and Meghalaya pineapples to UAE president Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Meloni was also gifted a Shirui Lily silk stole, which draws its inspiration from the misty heights of Shirui Kashong peak in Manipur.
