On the second day of his three-day State visit to the US, Modi met US President Joe Biden and the first lady after arriving in Washington on Wednesday (EST).
Digital Desk: Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted a ‘Made in India’ diamond to US first lady Jill Biden.
On the second day of his three-day State visit to the US, Modi met US President Joe Biden and the first lady after arriving in Washington on Wednesday (EST).
The gift is a "Lab Grown 7.5 carat Green Diamond. With the aid of cutting-edge technology, it is carefully and precisely carved. It is accredited by the Gemological lab, IGI, and emits just 0.028 grammes of carbon per carat," the Prime Minister's office stated.
It bears the hallmarks of excellence through the 4C’s: Cut, Colour, Carat and Clarity. The Prime Minister's Office released a statement that read, "It is a beacon of responsible luxury that symbolises India's 75 years of freedom and sustainable International relations."
The container in which the Green Diamond is kept is made of "papier mâché." The magnificent Papier mâché produced in Kashmir, known as kar-e-kalamdani, requires sakthsazi, or the painstaking preparation of paper pulp, and naqqashi, or detailed design painting. Every item of this timeless craft is a masterpiece because it combines time-honored history and craftsmanship with a delicate simplicity that avoids richness and complicated themes. The statement said, "It is in fact an embodiment of India's rich cultural tapestry."
The earth-mined diamond's chemical and visual characteristics are reflected in the diamond. Because solar and wind power were employed in its construction, it is also environmentally friendly.
Budget grant for LGD
To promote lab-grown diamonds (LGD), the Union Budget 2023–24 recommended tax relief. This is a new, technologically and innovatively oriented industry with significant employment prospects. The optical and chemical characteristics of these eco-friendly diamonds are identical to those of natural diamonds.
"A five-year research and development grant will be given to one of the IITs to boost domestic production of LGD seeds and equipment and to lessen reliance on imports. The custom duty rate on LGD seeds is being reviewed to lower production costs," according to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's budget speech.
Continue Reading
