The External Affairs Ministry took the initiative.
By Sreekanth A Nair
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dressing style has always got attention around the world since he assumed the power last year.
Sometimes his bright colored clothes have even made headlines. ‘Modi Kurta’ (Modi Jacket) has become a trademarked product since then.
Wednesday, the Indian government took the Prime Minister’s dressing style to a diplomatic level when the heads of more than 40 African countries wore the traditional Indian attire at the dinner arranged by Modi ahead of 3rd India Africa Summit in New Delhi.
The African leaders were dressed in colorful ‘Kurta pyjama with Bandi’ (Modi Jackets) and ‘safa’ (the Indian headgear), just like the ones Modi usually put on.
The president of South Africa, Jacob Zuma and the presidents of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe were the only exceptions to the dress code.
The dinner was hosted at Crafts Museum in Pragati Maidan.
While it is not known whose idea is it, but the Ministry of External Affairs (MES) had written to all consulate offices of African countries seeking the ‘measurements’ of their heads of state last month. The idea was also approved by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
The Indian fashion label Biba had been specially commissioned by the Indian government to design special jackets and kurtas for each leader attending the India Africa Summit.
The Press Trust of India (PTI) quoted a senior government official as saying, “It is a collection of food, music and artifacts from Kashmir to Kanyakumari to showcase India’s rich, colorful and diverse culture.”
The ‘Modi jacket’ is a colorful variation of the jacket worn by India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, which is called ‘Nehru jacket.’ When Chinese President Xi Jinping visited India last year, the Prime Minister had gifted him a ‘Modi Jacket.’
In the Inaugural ceremony of 3rd India Africa Summit also Modi mentioned the cultural diversity of India and African countries. “We are among the world’s oldest civilizations. We are each a vibrant mosaic of languages, religions and culturesâ€, he said.