Modi govt. bans bouquets on tours in India; flower with khadi handkerchief or book preferred

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has directed that no bouquet be presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his tours within India.

In a statement, the MHA said, "It has been desired by the competent authority that no bouquet be presented to the prime minister. At best, it will be a flower along with a khadi handkerchief or a book may be presented to welcome the dignitary." The statement adds that "all States/Union Territories are requested to suitably sensitise all concerned to ensure strict compliance of the above instructions".

This order comes after the prime minister urged people to "give a book instead of a bouquet as a greeting", saying there is no joy greater than reading and no strength greater than knowledge. According to source, he made these comments at PN Panicker National Reading Day celebrations in Kochi during his Kerala trip in June 2017.

About a week after the trip, during his 'Mann Ki Baat' radio address, Modi also urged people to stop exchanging bouquets and instead gift khadi products.

"One can also use a khadi handkerchief to welcome people, and be a support to the innumerable underprivileged people. When I was in Gujarat, I had set a tradition of welcoming people by not giving bouquets, but books or handkerchiefs instead."

He added that, "The lifespan of a bouquet is very short. You receive it in your hand for a moment and then abandon it. But when you present a book, it becomes a part of the household, a part of the family."