Modi-Xi meet: The significance of the Veshti PM wore in Mahabalipuram

Welcoming Chinese President Xi Jinping at Mahabalipuram on Friday, PM Narendra Modi donned a tritional South Indian attire - Veshti paired with a white shirt and an 'Angavastram'. two leers are scheduled to hold ir second informal meeting at ancient city- 60 Km from Chennai, on October 11-12. previous Wuhan summit has happened against backdrop of India and China standoff on Doklam issue in 2017. PM Modi h also tweeted a welcome in Chinese when Jinping's plane landed in Chennai airport, extending hospitality.

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PM Modi's tritional attire

PM Modi has always celebrated vibrant culture throughout nation with his attire. tritional attire donned by PM Modi on Friday - 'Veshti and Angavastram' is synchrous with local attire of citizens of Tamil Nu. 'veshti', by definition, is a four-yard-long white, cotton attire for men to cover ir waist-below in south Indian states. 'veshti' is bordered usually with a golden trimmed border on a background of red or green. It is often paired with a shorter piece of cloth, similar in design to veshti - called 'Angavastram' and is draped on shoulder.

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Veshti and Tamil Nu politics

'veshti' has been symbolic of Tamilnu politics. most famous politician in Centre, who stuck to tritional South Indian attire is former Union Minister P Chidambaram. Analysts state that crisp, white 'veshti' evokes a sense of hope, respect and fear among masses. It also often conveys to Tamilians that minister cl in ir beloved 'veshti' is an insider, one of m at a national level.

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As started by veteran Tamil politician C N Annurai, Tamil politicians to this date stick to dress code of wearing Khi 'veshtis' in Assembly. Annurai - founder of  Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) h reportedly gone door to door carrying such Gandhian 'veshtis' to promote m in early 1960s. DMK leers today too stick to humble cotton 'veshti' as opposed to silk 'veshtis' which have been considered elitist. keeping in trition, PM Modi too has on various occasion donned 'Veshti' while visiting different parts of Tamil Nu.

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