During his first state visit to the United States, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted President Joe Biden an exquisite handcrafted sandalwood box, a representation of the Indian tradition of ‘Das Danam’ or ‘Ten Donations’. This unique gift, intricately carved by an artisan from Jaipur, Rajasthan, signifies a symbolic gesture of honour traditionally extended to individuals who have lived through a thousand full moons, roughly equivalent to eighty years and eight months. The ‘Das Danam’ is composed of ten distinct offerings, including a cow (Gaudaan), land (Bhudaan), sesame seeds (Tildaan), gold (Hiranyadaan), clarified butter (Ajyadaan), food grains (Dhaanyadaan), clothes P5 Vastradaan), jaggery (Guddaan), silver (Raupyadaan), and salt (Lavandaan). These gifts are typically presented during the ‘Sahasra Poorna Chandrodayam’ celebrations, a commemoration of the richness of human life. Included within the sandalwood box were various symbolic donations corresponding to the ‘Das Danam’, meticulously sourced from different regions across India to symbolise the diversity of its cultural heritage. Among these were a silver idol of Lord Ganesha, crafted by fifth-generation silversmiths in Kolkata, and a diya, an oil lamp, a significant emblem of Hindu households. Accompanying the box, PM Modi presented President Biden with a first edition of ‘The Ten Principal Upanishads’ published by Faber and Faber Ltd of London. The First Lady, Jill Biden, received a 7.5-carat lab-grown green diamond housed in an intricate ‘papier mache’ box from Kashmir. These gifts were exchanged during a private dinner at the White House, marking a celebration of cultural exchange and respect that underscores the robust relationship between India and the United States. Further exemplifying this relationship, PM Modi’s visit also included engagements with key US industry leaders, reinforcing a mutual commitment between the two nations to foster sustainable and inclusive global growth. In return, the Bidens presented PM Modi with an early 20th-century American book galley, a vintage camera accompanied by an archival print of George Eastman’s Kodak camera patent, a hardcover book on American wildlife photography, and a signed first edition copy of ‘Collected Poems of Robert Frost’. Following the gift exchange, the evening proceeded with a musical tribute to Indian culture performed by young dancers from Studio Dhoom, symbolising the continued union of two cultures. PM Modi’s visit, a testament to the strength of Indo-US ties, will culminate in an address to a joint sitting of the US Congress.
