NEW DELHI, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The Indian government has asked all states to present Prime Minister Narendra Modi only with books and khadi (handspun cloth) handkerchiefs and not with flowers when he visits.
In an advisory to the state governments this week, the Indian Prime Minister's Office said: "It has been desired by the competent authority that no bouquet may be presented to the Prime Minister during his tours within India."
"At best, one flower along with a khadi handkerchief or a book may be presented to welcome the dignitary. All states and UTs (Union territories) are requested to suitably sensitize all concerned to ensure strict compliance of the above instructions," it added.
This is not the first time that Modi has advocated books instead of bouquets for visitors.
During a recent trip to the southern Indian state of Kerala, the prime minister had urged people to gift him with books and not flowers. "There is no greater joy than reading and no greater strength than knowledge," he said.
And on a radio program he hosted last month, he said: "The life span of a bouquet is very short. You receive it in your hand for a moment and then abandon it. But when you present a book, it becomes a part of the household, a part of the family."
