'He had tea, we had payesh': June Malia's breakfast meeting with PM Modi gets delicious twist
A traditional Bengali gift, a conversation about Bengal's future, advice on staying fit and, unexpectedly, a plate of payesh.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's breakfast meeting with MPs in Delhi turned out to be far more informal and interesting than a routine political interaction.
Among those who met Modi at his official residence were June Malia, Satabdi Roy and Rachana Banerjee.
The MPs, who had recently left the Trinamool Congress (TMC), met the Prime Minister during their Delhi visit, with discussions centred on Bengal and the broader development of eastern India.
However, it was June Malia who added a distinctly Bengali touch to the meeting.
The Medinipur MP presented Modi with a traditional Bengali stole featuring the state's iconic kantha-stitch work.
She later took to social media to share her experience of the meeting, describing it as an honour and highlighting the Prime Minister's views on Bengal's potential.
June Malia on Modi's Bengal vision
In her post, Malia said she was impressed by Modi's belief in Bengal's immense potential and strength.
According to her, the Prime Minister expressed hope that Bengal would once again emerge as a major centre of culture, education and development.
He also spoke about the state's rich legacy of intellectuals, thinkers, art and culture. For her, the interaction was not simply a political meeting.
She described the opportunity to meet Modi at his residence as a memorable experience and thanked him for taking time out of his busy schedule to interact with the delegation. Then came Modi's health advice
The conversation also took a lighter, more personal turn when the Prime Minister reportedly spoke to the representatives about maintaining their health.
PM Modi advised them to make yoga part of their daily routine and undergo a full-body health check-up at least once a year. The message was straightforward, June said: 'Health is Wealth'.
The underlying advice was equally simple. Those working for the people and carrying demanding public responsibilities must first take care of their own physical and mental well-being. And what was on the breakfast table?
That is where the meeting got an unexpectedly homely twist. Speaking to reporters after the interaction, Roy offered a glimpse into the breakfast setting with a candid remark: 'He was sitting with tea, we had payesh and all.'
The comment instantly added a lighter dimension to what could otherwise have been a formal political meeting.
From a traditional Bengal kantha-stitch gift for Modi to discussions on Bengal's future, yoga and health, and finally payesh at the breakfast table, the meeting brought together politics, culture and an unusually informal moment.