After wrapping up the BRICS Summit in South Africa, Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed for Greece on Thursday, following an invitation from Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. This visit marks a significant milestone, as PM Modi becomes the inaugural Indian Prime Minister to set foot in the country in four decades.
15th BRICS summit in South Africa: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his three-day sojourn to South Africa to partake in the 15th BRICS summit, extended distinct tokens of appreciation to the prominent figures within the organization's leadership. Notable recipients of these offerings included Cyril Ramaphosa, the President of South Africa, Tshepo Motsepe, the First Lady of South Africa, and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the President of Brazil.
For President Cyril Ramaphosa, PM Modi bestowed a pair of exquisite 'Surahi' vessels hailing from Telangana. These Bidrivase vessels are a manifestation of an Indian innovation that traces its roots back to a 500-year-old Persian tradition, intrinsically linked to the town of Bidar. Meticulously crafted from an amalgamation of Zinc, Copper, and various non-ferrous metals, these vessels bear intricate engravings and are adorned with threads of pure Silver. A unique alchemical process involves soaking the castings in a solution infused with the distinctive soil of Bidar Fort, imbued with exceptional oxidizing properties. This metamorphosis transmutes the Zinc alloy into a resplendent ebony hue, providing a striking backdrop that magnificently complements the silver embellishments.
The First Lady of South Africa, Tshepo Motsepe, was the recipient of a resplendent Nagaland shawl. This garment is a testament to the intricate artistry of textile weaving, a practice meticulously honed over centuries by the tribes dwelling in the Nagaland region. Revered for their vibrant hues, intricate motifs, and the perpetuation of traditional weaving techniques across generations, these Naga shawls encapsulate a rich cultural heritage.
Further enhancing the exchange, PM Modi gifted the Brazilian President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, a captivating piece of Gond Painting from the heartland of Madhya Pradesh. Emanating from the tribal lineage, Gond paintings hold a place of distinction among revered artistic expressions. Rooted in the Dravidian term 'Kond,' signifying 'green mountain,' these artworks manifest through the meticulous arrangement of dots and lines. Gond paintings, deeply embedded in the fabric of Gond residences, are composed using locally sourced organic materials such as charcoal, colored soil, plant extracts, leaves, cow dung, and limestone powder.
Taking the floor at the 15th BRICS Summit convened in Johannesburg, South Africa, Prime Minister Modi articulated his belief in the collective potential of BRICS and its allied nations to fortify a world characterized by multipolarity. Notably, during the summit, the BRICS alliance, encompassing Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, unanimously resolved to extend full membership status to Argentina, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates, effective from the 1st of January.
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