Day 2: PM Modi gifts a Made in India diamond to First Lady Jill Biden
Virendra Pandit
New Delhi: During his meeting with President Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden at the White House on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted, among other things, a Made in India, laboratory-grown Green Diamond to the US First Lady, the media reported.
According to the Prime Minister’s office, the gift is a ‘Lab Grown 7.5 carat Green Diamond,’ sculpted with precision using cutting-edge technology. It emits only 0.028 grams of carbon per carat and is certified by the International Gemological Laboratory (IGI).
The diamond bears the hallmarks of excellence through the 4C’s: cut, color, carat, and clarity. “It is a beacon of responsible luxury that symbolizes India’s 75 years of freedom and sustainable International relations,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.
The diamond was polished and given a shine in Surat, Gujarat.
Even the box carrying it is unique and from Jammu and Kashmir.
‘Papier mâché’ is the box in which the Green Diamond is placed. Known as kar-e-kalamdani, Kashmir’s exquisite Papier mâché involves sakthsazi or meticulous preparation of paper pulp and naqqashi, where skilled artisans paint elaborate designs.
A confluence of timeless tradition and craftsmanship, it exudes opulence and intricate motifs, and graceful simplicity, which makes every piece of this timeless craft, a masterpiece. “It is indeed, an embodiment of India’s vibrant cultural tapestry,” added the statement.
The diamond reflects earth-mined diamonds’ chemical and optical properties. It is also eco-friendly, as eco-diversified resources like solar and wind power were used in its making.
The Union Budget for 2023-24 proposed tax relief to promote laboratory-grown diamonds (LGDs). This is a technology-and innovation-driven emerging sector with high employment potential. These environment-friendly diamonds have the same properties as natural diamonds optically and chemically.
“To encourage indigenous production of LGD seeds and machines and to reduce import dependency, a research and development grant will be provided to one of the IITs for five years. To reduce the cost of production, there is a proposal to review the custom duty rate on LGD seeds,” Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in her budget speech.
