PM Modi dons vibrant leheriya turban for 78th Independence Day celebrations

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi donned a vibrant Rajasthani leheriya print turban paired with a white kurta and churidar for the 78th Independence Day celebrations at the historic Red Fort. For his 11th Independence Day speech, Modi also sported a light blue bandhgala jacket.

Continuing his tradition of colourful turbans for Independence Day since 2014, this year Modi’s headgear featured a blend of orange, yellow, and green with a long tail. The leheriya print, a traditional Rajasthani tie-dye technique, is inspired by the natural wave patterns seen in the desert sands of western Rajasthan.

Last year, Modi wore a Rajasthani bandhani print turban, which was off-white with a mix of yellow, green, and red. This was complemented by a black V-neck jacket.

Modi has consistently chosen flamboyant turbans for Independence Day and Republic Day events. In 2022, he wore a saffron turban with red patterns and a long tail, paired with a traditional kurta, churidar, a blue jacket, and a stole. In 2021, his headgear was saffron and cream with a long tail, matched with a half-sleeve kurta and fitted churidar.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Modi opted for a white scarf with a saffron border, which he used to cover his mouth and nose.

In his first Independence Day address in 2014, Modi wore a bright red Jodhpuri bandhej turban. The following year, he chose a yellow turban with multi-colored criss-cross lines, and in 2016, a tie-dye turban in pink and yellow. The 2017 turban featured bright red and yellow with golden criss cross lines, and in 2018, he wore a saffron turban.

Modi will once again unfurl the national flag on Thursday, marking his 11th consecutive Independence Day as Prime Minister. This milestone will surpass Manmohan Singh, who did so 10 times from 2004 to 2014, and place him behind Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi, who performed the ceremony 17 and 16 times, respectively.

Agencies