Unique variety of lotus, brass Buddha with Bodhi tree, Banarasi silk gifted to Vietnam president

India gifted Vietnam President To Lam a unique Namoh 108 lotus variety, a brass Buddha sculpture, and Banarasi silk during his state visit. The gifts symbolised spiritual heritage, traditional craftsmanship, and cultural ties between India and Vietnam

New Delhi: Namoh 108, a unique variety of the national flower lotus, a brass sculpture featuring the Buddha seated in a meditative posture and a special silk fabric originating from Varanasi are some of the gifts given by India to the visiting President of Vietnam To Lam.

The Vietnam President is on a three-day state visit to India that began on May 5.

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Namoh 108, which was gifted to the visiting leader, is a unique variety of lotus developed by the National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), Lucknow, UP.

Namoh 108 holds profound cultural importance as it serves as a “living bridge” between ancient Indian heritage and modern biotechnological achievement, official sources said.

By specifically engineering this lotus variety to possess exactly 108 petals, the NBRI has physically manifested a number considered sacred and mathematically perfect across Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, they said.

This number corresponds to the beads on a meditation mala, the sacred pithas (sites) across the subcontinent, and various cosmic calculations in Vedic tradition, making the flower a symbol of spiritual wholeness.

The name itself, “Namoh,” is rooted in the Sanskrit word for “salutation” or “obeisance”, further aligning the botanical specimen with the language of traditional mantras and prayers.

The Vietnamese president was also gifted a brass Buddha sculpture featuring the Buddha seated in a meditative posture, set against an intricate, circular halo that resembles the sprawling, delicate foliage of a Bodhi tree.

The Buddha is captured in the Abhaya Mudra, with his right hand raised in a gesture of fearlessness and protection, while his left hand rests in his lap holding a small bowl, symbolising nourishment and compassion.

The metal work is exceptionally detailed, particularly in the fine, rhythmic branching of the tree, which adds a sense of organic growth and spiritual canopy to the composition, they said.

Resting on a stylised lotus-petal base, the golden, reflective surface of the brass gives the piece an aura of warmth and radiance.

Crafted by skilled artisans from Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, a city renowned for its brassware-the sculpture reflects generations of traditional craftsmanship and attention to detail.

The silk fabric gifted to the Vietnam president is from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, a region celebrated for centuries for its exquisite textile arts and royal brocades.

The material features an elegant, tone-on-tone jacquard weave that showcases an interconnected floral and vine pattern.

When crafted into a traditional ‘ao dai’, this Banarasi-inspired silk creates a beautiful fusion of Indian heritage and Vietnamese elegance.

The rich fuchsia colour and intricate woven texture provide a striking contrast to the classic silhouette.