Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman dons traditional temple border saree for her fifth Budget presentation

Ahead of her fifth straight Budget, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman arrived in the Parliament building, donning a traditional temple border saree.

The Minister chose the classic drape along with the red digital tablet - the choice Budget accessory since the presentation went paperless earlier in her term - along with gold bangles and a bindi.

Temple sarees are usually made of cotton, silk or a mix of both and worn for special occasions. Sitharaman opted for a red temple saree with black border and intricate golden work . The saree also features a star-like design.


Also Read: Nirmala Sitharaman: The first female FM to present 5 Budgets in a row

Sitharaman has been seen actively promoting traditional handlooms especially after she took charge as the Finance Minister in 2019. Her sartorial choices showcase a support of handwoven fabrics.

For her first Budget presentation in 2019, Sitharaman chose to wear a simple pink Mangalgiri saree with a gold border. Apart from making a statement with her simple saree, Sitharaman also caught the attention by ditching the colonial tradition of bringing ledger papers in a briefcase. She carried the Budget documents in a traditional 'bahi khata'.

Union Budget 2020
In 2020, Sitharaman opted for a bright yellow-gold silk saree. The yellow colour holds a valuable significance. It is believed to be a sacred colour which stands for prosperity.

Union Budget 2021
Sitharaman wore a red and off-white silk Pochampally sari with ikat patterns around the pallu and a green border. Pochampally ikat is traditionally made in Bhoodan Pochampally, in Telangana, and is popularly known as the 'silk city of India'.

Union Budget 2022
For Union Budget 2022, Sitharaman was seen dressed in a rust and maroon handloom saree. The rusty brown tone of her saree was a combination of two colours, brown and red, that hold a deeper significance. It was a Bomkai saree typically made in Sonepur district of Odisha.

Undoubtedly, Sitharaman's sartorial choices have always displayed an array of handloom pieces from across the country.

With inputs from ANI