Present Odisha sarees to Michelle Obama, Modi urged

Bhubaneswar: Senior Congress leader from Odisha, Niranjan Patnaik today urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to present Sambalpuri and silk sarees of the state to US First Lady Michelle Obama.

The former Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee president has made the suggestion in his email to Modi.

"I have come across media reports that India will present about 100 elegant sarees and exquisite silk clothes from Banaras to the US first lady Michelle Obama. I suggest that the prime minister kindly consider including choicest fabrics from all across the country, including Odisha," Patnaik said in his email.

He said Odisha has its own rich heritage of fabrics, particularly the Samabalpuri fabrics.

Niranjan also hoped to draw Modi's attention to the silk sarees from Berhampur in Ganjam district, which found place in the Prince of Wales Exhibition in London long before India's independence.

Obama arrived in New Delhi Sunday on a three-day state visit. He will become the first US president to be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade Monday.