Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Dons Odisha’s Bomkai Saree During Budget Presentation

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is known for flaunting her love for handloom sarees and she has been seen donning local fabrics on several crucial occasions.

Sitharaman presented her fourth Union Budget in the Parliament today. For her budget presentation, the FM chose Bomkai saree which is typically made in Sonepur district of Odisha.

Sitharam kept her look simple and elegant with the Bomkai Patta saree which was weaved in two colours- brown and red. She paired her saree with a white shawl and white face mask.

Sitharam completed her look with a red Bindi and tiny gold earrings along with a golden chain and bangles.

One of the oldest textiles of Odisha, Bomkai silk is also known as Sonepuri silk. The original and traditional weaving of this fabric was made in a low-count cotton yarn which is usually, coarse, heavy and dyed in intense colours. In an easy way, it can be explained as an extra weft technique on a pit loom.

In 2021, Sitharam opted for a bright red and off-white Pochampalli silk saree paired with a matching red blouse. She completed her look with a gold chain, bangles, and tiny earrings.

In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the FM had carried the documents in a tablet wrapped in a red-coloured cover with the Emblem of the Government of India, instead of the traditional 'bahi khata'.