New Delhi: Known for her love for Indian textiles, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday arrived in Parliament for the Union Budget 2023 presentation wearing a traditional temple border saree. Temple sarees are usually made of cotton, silk or a blend and are worn on special occasions. Sitharaman chose a red temple saree with black border and intricate golden work on the Union Budget 2023 presentation day.
The beautiful saree also featured a star-like design. The colors we choose on an important day can say a lot about the message we are trying to convey. Red color symbolizes love, commitment, strength and bravery.
According to Hindu culture, the color red is often associated with Goddess Durga, who is a symbol of feminine power and strength. With a red digital tablet in hand, Sitharaman looked classic and elegant as she posed for photographs in front of the Finance Ministry, Central Secretariat on Wednesday morning.
She completed her simple look with a small bindi and gold bangles. Sitharaman has been seen actively promoting traditional handlooms especially since taking over as the Finance Minister in 2019.
#watch , Delhi: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is all set to present #UnionBudget2023 Today at 11 am.
This is the last full budget of the BJP government before the 2024 general elections. pic.twitter.com/8CFywfihvq
– ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2023
Her dress choices from the current and past budget sessions prove that she is a staunch supporter of hand-woven clothing. For her first budget presentation in 2019, Sitharaman chose to wear a simple pink Mangalagiri saree with gold border.
Pink usually stands for women empowerment and Budget 2019 was all about ‘Nari Tu Narayani’. Apart from making a statement with her simple saree, Sitharaman also attracted attention by breaking the colonial tradition of carrying account papers in a briefcase.
He took the budget documents in the traditional ‘Bahi Khata’. In 2020, Sitharaman opted for a bright yellow-golden silk saree. Yellow color has special significance. It is considered a sacred color which signifies prosperity.
During the Union Budget 2021, FM Sitharaman wore a red and off-white silk Pochampally saree with ikat pattern around the pallu and green border. Pochampally Ikat is traditionally made in Bhoodan Pochampally, Telangana, and is known as the ‘Silk City of India’. For the Union Budget 2022, Sitharaman was seen wearing a rust and maroon handloom saree.
The rusty brown color of her saree was a combination of two colors, brown and red, which holds a deep significance. While the color brown is often associated with resilience, dependability, safety and security, red is a symbol of warmth, love and power. This was a Bomkai saree usually made in Sonpur district of Odisha. Undoubtedly, Sitharaman’s choice of clothing has always showcased an array of handloom pieces from across the country.