For her record-breaking seventh Union Budget presentation, the finance minister opted for a white silk saree with magenta border adorned with golden motifs.
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Earlier this year, for the interim budget, she chose a blue handloom saree and carried a ‘bahi-khata’ (a tablet wrapped in a red-coloured cover) in her hand.
In 2019, Sitharaman debuted her budget presentation in a bright pink, gold-bordered Mangalgiri saree.
In her first Budget, she also for the first time had replaced briefcase with a traditional ‘bahi khata’. The Budget papers were wrapped in a silk red cloth with the national emblem embossed on top.
In 2020, Sitharaman wore a vibrant yellow-gold silk saree with a blue border and a matching blouse. The color yellow, often associated with prosperity, was seen as a symbol of the country’s aspirations for a thriving economy.
In 2021, Nirmala Sitharaman was seen in a red and off-white silk Pochampally sari with ikat patterns around the pallu, with a green border. Pochampally ikat is traditionally made in Bhoodan Pochampally, in Telangana, and is popularly known as the ‘silk city of India’.
In 2022, Sitharaman opted for a Bomkai saree, originating from the Eastern Indian state of Odisha. The saree featured a rusty brown tone, created by combining brown and red hues.
Last year, Sitharaman donned a traditional temple border red saree last year. Sitharaman opted for the red temple saree with black border and intricate golden work on Budget day.
Nirmala Sitharaman is set to make history by delivering her seventh consecutive budget, surpassing the late Moraji Desai’s record of six consecutive budgets. The budget is expected to focus on changes in the income tax structure and measures to improve the ease of doing business in India.