Latest news with #Sohari
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Business Standard
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Bihar resonates in PM Narendra Modi's Trinidad and Tobago speech
Bihar, which is due for Assembly elections by November this year, found frequent mentions during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day long visit to Trinidad and Tobago, which concluded on Friday with him leaving for Buenos Aires, the third stop of his five-nation tour. The Prime Minister (PM) is scheduled to spend two days in Argentina, the first bilateral visit by a serving Indian PM in 57 years, and crucial for India's search for critical minerals and energy sources. He will reach Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil, on Monday to attend the Brics summit, followed by a visit to Brasilia, in Brazil, for a bilateral meeting with Brazilian President Lula da Silva. Addressing an Indian diaspora event in Port of Spain on Friday, Modi said: 'The ancestors of many people present here came from Bihar. The heritage of Bihar is the pride of not only India but the world as well.' He said that the ancestors of his Trinidad & Tobago counterpart, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, were from the eastern Indian state. Modi said the Trinidad Prime Minister had even visited the state, and people in India considered her the 'daughter of Bihar'. Modi's X post about the cultural connect between the two countries was in English and Bhojpuri, spoken widely in Bihar and also by the Indian community in the Caribbean nation. 'Very happy to have witnessed a Bhojpuri Chautaal performance in Port of Spain. The connection between Trinidad & Tobago and India, especially parts of eastern UP and Bihar is noteworthy,' he said after watching a musical performance. Indians from various parts of the country were sent to the West Indies and South Africa as indentured labour, which was not much different from slavery. Modi also posted on X pictures from a dinner that Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar hosted, serving food on a Sohari leaf. He said the Sohari leaf was of great cultural significance to the people of Trinidad & Tobago, especially those with Indian roots. Sohari is a Bhojpuri word. In his address at the diaspora event, the PM said: 'Be it democracy, politics, diplomacy, higher education ... Bihar had shown a new direction to the world in many such subjects centuries ago.' He said that new inspirations and new opportunities 'will emerge from the land of Bihar for the 21st-century world'. Modi's was the first bilateral by an Indian PM to Trinidad and Tobago since 1999. Modi said India was working on creating a comprehensive database of the Girmitiya community. It will support the deep and historical ties with 'our brothers and sisters in Trinidad and Tobago as well', he said. 'Our decision on the sixth generation of the Indian diaspora in Trinidad & Tobago being issued OCI (Overseas Citizenship of India) cards will strengthen their connection to India and preserve our shared heritage for future generations,' the PM posted on X. Relations between India and Trinidad & Tobago go back to May 30, 1845, when the first ship, the Fatel Razack, carrying 225 Indian indentured workers reached the shores of Trinidad, then a British colony. Their numbers increased with subsequent arrival of more ships from India till 1917. The descendants of those indentured workers, now in their fifth or sixth generation, form 40-45 per cent of the population of 1.36 million (2024), constituting an integral part of the economic, political, and social fabric of the country. This year, the diaspora is celebrating 180 years of the arrival of the first group of their ancestors. The PM's visit to Argentina comes at a time when the country is undertaking major economic reforms somewhat similar to those India went through in the past, said the secretary (east) in the Ministry of External Affairs, P Kumaran, at a briefing in New Delhi on Monday. Argentina holds the world's second-largest shale gas reserves and the fourth-largest shale oil reserves along with substantial conventional oil and gas deposits. 'It makes Argentina a potentially important energy partner for India in the future,' Kumaran said. Argentina's rich reserves of critical minerals such as lithium, copper, and other rare-earth elements complement India's growing need for secure and sustainable supplies to these elements for its clean energy transition and industrial growth, he said.
India Today
6 hours ago
- Politics
- India Today
PM served food on Sohari leaf at dinner during Trinidad and Tobago visit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was served food on a Sohari leaf, which he described as of 'great cultural significance', during the dinner hosted by his Trinidad and Tobago counterpart Kamla prime minister, who is on a two-day visit to the Caribbean island nation, also posted on X photos of himself dining next to the Trinidad and Tobago prime minister with food served on the Sohari Sohari leaf is of great cultural significance to the people of Trinidad and Tobago, especially those with Indian roots, Modi said in his post on X. 'Here, food is often served on this leaf during festivals and other special programmes,' Modi is a tropical plant akin to banana plant in India. Most Indian-origin people have continued with the tradition of consuming food on leaves during special the dinner, Modi also met with Rana Mohip, who had sung 'Vaishnava Jana To' during a programme to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi a few years ago.'At the dinner in Port of Spain, met Mr Rana Mohip, who had sung 'Vaishnava Jana To' when we marked the 150th Jayanti of Mahatma Gandhi a few years ago. His passion towards Indian music and culture is appreciable,' Modi said on the dinner, the prime minister also presented a replica of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya to his Trinidad and Tobago counterpart and holy water from the Saryu river as well as from the Mahakumbh held in Prayagraj earlier this year.'They symbolise the deep cultural and spiritual bonds between India and Trinidad & Tobago,' Modi wrote on visit to the Caribbean island nation was the first bilateral visit by an Indian prime minister since was received on Thursday by his counterpart Kamla Persad-Bissessar at Piarco International Airport, where he was accorded a ceremonial welcome and a guard of honour. Several Cabinet ministers and senators were also present to greet the prime minister.- EndsTune InTrending Reel
Deccan Herald
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
PM Modi served food on Sohari leaf during dinner hosted by Trinidad and Tobago counterpart
The dinner hosted by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar had food served on a Sohari leaf, which is of great cultural significance to the people of Trinidad & Tobago, especially those with Indian roots. Here, food is often served on this leaf during festivals and other special…
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
What is Sohari leaf and how is it significant to the Indians of Trinidad & Tobago?
Image credits: X/@narendramodi The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi is on an official five-nation tour from July 2-9. In what is termed as the longest diplomatic visit by the Prime Minister in nearly 10 years, Modi will be attending various bilateral, multilateral and other programmes in Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago, Argentina, Brazil and Namibia. Recently, the Prime Minister visited Trinidad & Tobago where he was welcomed by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar for a special dinner. While the menu of the vital dinner was unique, what caught the eyes of many was the large, green Sohari leaves the dinner was served on . Indian Attire To Bhojpuri Chautaal- PM Modi Gets Unique Welcome In Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago Modi took to X later to share how the Sohari leaf was of great cultural significance to the people of Trinidad & Tobago, especially those with Indian roots. What was the significance that the PM was talking about? Know more below! What is Sohari leaf? Image credits: Facebook With looks similar to a banana leaf, the Sohari leaf is scientifically called 'Calathea Lutea' and is found in the wet tropical regions of the Caribbean. Known as the bijao or cigar plant, the plant grows up to 3 metres in height and its broad leaves are often a metre long. They are typically used in local cooking to either wrap the food or as eco-friendly plates to serve food. In Trinidad's hot and humid climate, Sohari leaves are ideal for serving hot dishes like rice, curries and more without leaking or tearing. Why are Sohari leaves used for serving food in Trinidad? Image credits: Facebook The word 'Sohari' has roots in the Bhojpuri language where it translates to 'food for the gods'. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Originally, the word was used for a type of ghee-basted roti that was offered to Hindu priests during religious rituals. Over time, the large leaf that this roti was served on also came to be known by the same name. Today, during festivals like Diwali, an entire meal is served on the Sohari leaves. The usage of Sohari leaves for serving food to the Indian prime minister is not just a message of local tradition or environmental protection but also a nod to the Indians. About 42% of Trinidad & Tobago's population is of Indian descent. The majority of these people are citizens whose ancestors arrived as indentured labourers between 1845 and 1917. The usage of this leaf is a reminder of ancient tradition for the Indians living there and a bridge between the two cultures.
News18
14 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
PM Modi Served Food On 'Sohari Leaf' In Trinidad. India Link And Health Benefits Explained
During PM Modi's visit to Trinidad and Tobago, he was served a ceremonial dinner on a 'Sohari' leaf, hosted by PM Persad-Bissessar A simple leaf turned into a powerful symbol of cultural pride during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Trinidad and Tobago, as he was served a ceremonial dinner on a traditional Sohari leaf, a gesture that touched hearts both at home and abroad. The moment, rich in emotion and symbolism, quickly went viral on social media, with hashtags like #PMModi #SohariLeaf #TrinidadVisit trending globally. Hosted by Trinidad and Tobago's Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, the dinner became more than a diplomatic courtesy, it was a celebration of enduring Indian heritage across oceans. The Sohari leaf, used ceremonially by the Indian diaspora in the Caribbean nation, evoked deep emotional resonance. As images of the event flooded social media, Indians across the world remarked how 'India lives wherever Indians do". The roots of this tradition trace back nearly two centuries. Large numbers of Indians arrived in Trinidad and Tobago during the 19th century as indentured labourers under British colonial rule. Over time, despite distance and generations, they preserved their rituals – from festivals to food, language to religion. One such preserved ritual is serving meals on Sohari leaves during weddings, religious ceremonies, and feasts, a practice meant to honour ancestors and retain a link to India. What Is A 'Sohari' Leaf? The Sohari leaf is a large, flat leaf akin to the banana leaf used commonly in southern and eastern India. It is biodegradable, chemical-free, and imbues food with a subtle fragrance. When hot food is served on it, natural antioxidants from the leaf mix into the meal, which is said to aid digestion and enhance taste. The tradition isn't merely nostalgic; it's rooted in ecological wisdom and health benefits. 'Eating on leaves like Sohari or banana is an age-old Indian tradition, not just for aesthetics or rituals, but for health," said Dr Meera Nambiar, an Ayurveda expert. They're hygienic, rich in phytonutrients, and elevate both the physical and spiritual experience of dining, she added. PM Modi Joins In, Social Media Reacts Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared the moment on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, posting a photograph of himself seated for the meal. His caption read, 'The dinner hosted by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar had food served on a Sohari leaf, which is of great cultural significance to the people of Trinidad & Tobago, especially those with Indian roots. Here, food is often served on this leaf during festivals and other special programmes." The dinner hosted by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar had food served on a Sohari leaf, which is of great cultural significance to the people of Trinidad & Tobago, especially those with Indian roots. Here, food is often served on this leaf during festivals and other special… — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2025 The post ignited an outpouring of pride. 'This is not just dinner, this is a full-circle moment of culture," wrote one user, while others echoed, 'India is not a country, it's a culture that blooms wherever its people go." While official visits are often marked by formal speeches and protocol, this moment stood apart. Cultural analyst Dr Kavita Ramcharan, based in Port of Spain, explained, 'To serve the Indian Prime Minister food on a Sohari leaf isn't just hospitality. It's a statement, that we remember who we are and where we came from." Even fourth-generation descendants of Indian workers in Trinidad have kept the Sohari tradition alive, using the leaf during Diwali celebrations and pujas. In many households, it's a non-negotiable part of cultural events, just as it is in parts of rural India.
