A handcrafted brass tortoise from Moradabad has taken centre stage in Indian diplomacy after Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented it as a state gift to Seychelles President Patrick Herminie, drawing widespread praise from the city's artisan community. The gesture has once again spotlighted Moradabad's centuries-old brass craftsmanship and underscored the role of India's traditional handicrafts in cultural diplomacy.

Padma Shri Artisan's Reaction

Padma Shri awardee and master artisan Chiranji Lal Yadav called the development a matter of immense honour for Moradabad's craftsmen. 'It is highly appreciable that the Prime Minister has given a unique identity to our handicrafts. Through such thoughtful gifts, artisans from different parts of the country receive global recognition. Now, people across the world will also know about Moradabad's rich brass art,' Yadav said.

The 74-year-old artisan, honoured with the Padma Shri in the field of Arts, also credited the Union government's sustained encouragement of traditional crafts for bringing national recognition to artisans like himself.

Significance of the Brass Tortoise

According to Yadav, the brass tortoise carries deep cultural symbolism — it represents Goddess Lakshmi, embodying prosperity, wealth, and good fortune, making it a particularly meaningful diplomatic offering. The choice of this artefact reflects a deliberate effort to marry cultural heritage with statecraft.

Moradabad: India's Brass City on the World Stage

Moradabad, widely recognised as India's 'Brass City', exports its exquisite metalwork to markets across the globe. Yadav himself is celebrated for preserving the art of intricate brass engraving, producing finely detailed work on vases, trays, plates, tea coasters, and decorative figures featuring floral patterns, animals, and traditional Indian motifs — pieces that have earned admiration in both domestic and international markets.

A Pattern of Craft Diplomacy

Yadav praised Prime Minister Modi's consistent practice of selecting handcrafted products made by local artisans as official gifts for world leaders. 'Whether it is Kashmiri shawls, Banarasi handicrafts or brass items from Moradabad, the Prime Minister always chooses products that represent India's rich artistic traditions. This not only showcases our heritage but also provides recognition to the artisans behind these masterpieces,' he said.

This approach, analysts note, serves a dual purpose — projecting India's soft power while generating visibility for artisan communities that have long operated outside mainstream economic narratives. The Moradabad gift to the Seychelles President is the latest in a series of such gestures that have placed regional crafts on the global diplomatic map.