Prime Minister Modi on Wednesday, 21 October expressed deep emotional grief and heartfelt condolences over the passing of the legendary master craftsman Thiru Vummidi Ethiraj, the patriarch of the 125-year-old Vummidi Bangaru Jewellers, who passed away in Chennai at the age of 99. Thiru Vummidi Ethiraj will forever be enshrined in India’s history as the visionary artisan who was instrumental in crafting the sacred Sengol, the gold-plated silver sceptre that symbolized the transfer of power from British rule to Independent India in 1947 when it was presented to the nation’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. In a deeply moving tribute, Prime Minister Modi recalled his poignant meeting with the veteran jeweller in 2023 when the government accorded the historic Sengol its rightful place of pride in the new Parliament building, stating that he had the immense honour of personally expressing the nation’s gratitude to Ethiraj Ji for his unparalleled contribution to India’s cultural and civilisational heritage.
Lamenting the immense loss, the Prime Minister emphasized that Ethiraj Ji’s life and extraordinary craftsmanship served as a monumental bridge connecting India’s glorious ancient traditions with its modern national journey. Sharing in the profound sorrow of the bereaved family, friends, and countless admirers, the Prime Minister offered his prayers for the departed soul’s peaceful onward journey, concluding his emotional tribute with a heartfelt “Om Shanti” for a true guardian of India’s legacy whose artistic genius will inspire generations to come.
News Edit KV Raman
