NEW DELHI: Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman arrived at Parliament on Saturday to present Union Budget 2025 dressed in a Madhubani art saree made by Padma awardee Dulari Devi.
Dulari Devi is a 2021 Padma Shri awardee. When FM visited Madhubani for a credit outreach activity at Mithila Art Institute, she met Dulari Devi and had a cordial exchange of thoughts on Madhubani art in Bihar.
Bahi Khata in hand, FM Sitharaman leaves North Block for Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Dulari Devi had presented the saree and asked FM to wear it for the budget day.
The presentation of the Budget generates significant interest, including attention towards the finance minister’s choice of attire. FM Sitharaman’s saree selections for budget presentations have consistently drawn public interest.
For her unprecedented seventh Union Budget presentation in 2023, she selected a white silk saree featuring a magenta border with golden designs. For the interim budget earlier this year, she appeared in a blue handloom saree, carrying a ‘bahi-khata’ with a red covering.
Her first budget presentation in 2019 featured a bright pink Mangalgiri saree with gold borders. That year marked the inaugural use of the traditional ‘bahi khata’ instead of a briefcase. The Budget documents were enclosed in red silk fabric bearing the national emblem.
For 2020, she selected a yellow-gold silk saree complemented by a blue border and matching blouse. Yellow, traditionally associated with abundance, reflected national economic aspirations.
The 2021 presentation saw her wearing a red and off-white Pochampally silk sari, featuring ikat patterns and a green border. Pochampally ikat, crafted in Bhoodan Pochampally, Telangana, has earned the region recognition as India’s ‘silk city’.
In 2022, she chose a Bomkai saree from Odisha, displaying a distinctive rusty brown colour achieved by blending brown and red shades.
For last year’s presentation, she wore a red temple saree featuring a black border decorated with intricate golden work.
Sitharaman is poised to establish a new record by presenting her seventh consecutive budget, exceeding late Moraji Desai’s six successive presentations.