New Delhi: The Union Ministry on Monday has directed all the states and Union territories’ governments to stop using flower bouquets during PM Modi’s visits within the country.
“No bouquet may be presented to the PM during his tours within India,” ANI reported MHA sources as saying. The Ministry has said, a flower along with a Khadi handkerchief or a book may be presented to the PM instead, reports India Today.
“All states and union territories are requested to suitably sensitize all concerned to ensure strict compliance of the above instructions,” it said.
PM Modi on June 17 had tweeted that people should stop using bouquets. On which Shashi Tharoor had replied, “Some minds think alike! I’ve been saying this for years in Thiruvananthapuram!”.
During PM’s Mann Ki Baat on June 25, he again requested the people to stop exchanging bouquets and start gifting Khadi products or books can also be given.
“We should gift Khadi handkerchieves as it will help poor artisans, and books so that people are inspired to get into the habit of reading,” PM Modi has said.