During Vietnam President To Lam’s state visit to India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented three symbolic gifts: a Namoh 108 lotus, a brass Buddha sculpture with a Bodhi-tree motif, and a piece of Varanasi silk. The exchange took place while the president was in New Delhi from May 5–7.
The Namoh 108 is a specially developed variety of India’s national flower created by the National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) in Lucknow. The flower is engineered to bear exactly 108 petals, a number with spiritual resonance across Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism—seen in mala beads, sacred sites and Vedic cosmology—and is intended as a botanical symbol of spiritual completeness. The name “Namoh” comes from Sanskrit, meaning salutation or obeisance, linking the lotus to devotional practice.
The brass sculpture depicts the Buddha seated in meditation set against an ornate circular halo that evokes the Bodhi tree. The figure shows the Abhaya Mudra, the right hand raised to signify fearlessness and protection, while the left hand rests in the lap holding a small bowl, a motif of compassion and sustenance. The piece’s detailed metalwork, including the branching of the tree and the lotus-petal base, and its golden finish reflect the brass craftsmanship of Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, a city renowned for metal artisanship.
The silk originates from Varanasi, celebrated for its weaving tradition. Woven in a tone-on-tone jacquard with interlaced floral and vine motifs, the Banarasi-inspired fabric in a rich fuchsia hue was presented as a textile that can be tailored into a traditional Vietnamese ao dai, symbolizing a sartorial blend of Indian weaving and Vietnamese elegance.
The gifts were presented as part of ceremonial exchanges during President To Lam’s three-day visit to India, held at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi.
