PARIS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is on a state visit to France attended the French military parade, the Bastille Day Parade as the guest of honour along with French President Emanuel Macron and his colleagues in Paris on Friday falling 14 July, by which it was historically known in France.

During the parade, the Indian contingent of tri-services marching to the tune of 'Saare Jahan Se Accha,' was the star attraction as crowds thronged Paris to see them in the parade and also the flypast. Nearly 6,500 participants took part in the parade.

The contingent starting from the famous Arc de Triomphe de, one of the most famous monuments in Paris, standing at the western end of the Champs-Élysées at twelve radiating avenues was led by Cdr Vrat Baghel followed by Lt Cdr Rajat Tripathi, Lt Cdr Disha Amrith, and Lt Cdr Jittin Lalitha Dharmaraj and PM Modi reciprocated by a salute as they passed by the main dias. 

PM Modi gifts sitar replica, Pochampally silk ikat to French President Macron & wife

Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is on a state visit to France has gifted a sandalwood replica of the music instrument sitar to French President Emanuel Macron and a Pochampally silk ikat in a sandalwood box to his wife Brigitte Macron.

The intricately and artistically carved replica of the sitar gifted to Macron prominently carries images of Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles and also of Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, music, art, speech, wisdom and learning, holding her musical instrument veena.

The French President was informed, that the art of sandalwood carving is an exquisite and ancient craft that has been practised in southern India for centuries and that the Pochampally silk ikat fabric is a very rich and exquisitely made textile at the Pochampally town in Telangana know for its uniqueness of this fabric lies in the transfer of design and colouring onto warp, for weaving them deftly together.

Renowned for its intricate designs and vibrant colours, the Pochampally silk ikat sari encapsulates the beauty, craftsmanship, and cultural heritage of India, making it a true treasure in the world of textiles, they noted.

PM Modi also gifted a Makrana marble inlay worked tablet using semi-precious stones to his French counterpart Elisabeth Borne.  Makrana, a town in Rajasthan is globally famous for high-quality marble which is used in decorating the interiors and exteriors of luxury structures.  

PM Modi also gifted a hand-knitted silk Kashmiri carpet to French National Assembly president Yael Braun-Pivet and a sandalwood hand-carved elephant Ambavari to Gerard Larcher, president of the French senate.