New Delhi, May 21 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented a handcrafted handbag from Shantiniketan, along with a selection of works by Rabindranath Tagore to the Prime Minister of Sweden during his visit to the country.

The Shantiniketan messenger bag is from Shantiniketan, the 'Abode of Peace,' a sanctuary where Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore envisioned a global meeting of minds. By blending traditional folk motifs with a modern, global aesthetic, Tagore created a unique visual language that gave the rural community a dignified and sustainable means of expression.

The importance and significance of the traditions at Shantiniketan endures; the leather work is a Geographical Indication (GI) protected craft that provides a sustainable live...