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International
Modi, Xi and Putin plant trees with Mansa-made spade at BRICS summit
✍️ Amar Ujala · Ludhiana
🗓 18 Sep 2026, 08:45 AM
👁 12
At the BRICS summit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin used a spade crafted by Mansa’s Bareta market artisan Gurnaam Singh Ramgadiya to plant saplings.
Leaders of the BRICS nations gathered for a symbolic tree‑planting ceremony during the summit, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Xi Jinping and President Vladimir Putin each planted a sapling using a traditional spade. The tool was hand‑made by Gurnaam Singh Ramgadiya, a skilled craftsman from the Bareta market in Mansa, Punjab, and was presented as a token of Indian artisanal heritage.
The spade, locally known as a "kudal," reflects the region’s long‑standing metal‑working tradition. Gurnaam Singh, who belongs to the Mistri community of Mansa, assembled the tool using iron forged in nearby workshops, showcasing the craftsmanship of rural Punjab on an international stage.
Officials highlighted the gesture as a commitment to environmental stewardship and cooperation among the BRICS members. The planting was framed as a reminder of shared responsibility to combat climate change and promote sustainable development.
The event also served to spotlight India’s push to promote indigenous products abroad, aligning with the government's "Make in India" initiative. By using a locally sourced implement, the ceremony underscored the country’s cultural pride while fostering diplomatic goodwill.
The spade, locally known as a "kudal," reflects the region’s long‑standing metal‑working tradition. Gurnaam Singh, who belongs to the Mistri community of Mansa, assembled the tool using iron forged in nearby workshops, showcasing the craftsmanship of rural Punjab on an international stage.
Officials highlighted the gesture as a commitment to environmental stewardship and cooperation among the BRICS members. The planting was framed as a reminder of shared responsibility to combat climate change and promote sustainable development.
The event also served to spotlight India’s push to promote indigenous products abroad, aligning with the government's "Make in India" initiative. By using a locally sourced implement, the ceremony underscored the country’s cultural pride while fostering diplomatic goodwill.