Sat Feb 01 10:49:00 IST 2025: ## Finance Minister Sitharaman’s 8th Budget Speech Showcases Madhubani Art

**New Delhi** – Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented her record-breaking eighth consecutive Union Budget today, marking a significant milestone in Indian fiscal history. Her appearance, as always, drew considerable attention. This year, she chose to wear a handloom off-white silk saree adorned with fish-themed embroidery and a golden border, a tribute to the traditional Madhubani art form from Bihar’s Mithila region.

The saree, crafted by Padma awardee Dulari Devi, showcased the vibrant colours and symbolic representations characteristic of Madhubani art. Devi, who learned the art from her employer Karpoori Devi, uses her paintings to raise awareness about crucial social issues such as child marriage, AIDS, and foeticide. She has created over 10,000 paintings, exhibited at more than 50 shows.

Sitharaman paired the saree with a red blouse and a white shawl, posing for the customary photograph outside her North Block office before meeting the President.

This continues a tradition for Sitharaman, who has consistently chosen Indian handloom sarees for her Budget presentations. Previous years have showcased sarees representing various states and weaving traditions, including Mangalgiri, Pochampally ikat, Bomkai, Kasuti, and Kantha work. Her choice of attire has consistently highlighted India’s rich textile heritage.

Today’s Budget speech, delivered at 11 am, details the government’s fiscal policies, revenue and expenditure plans, taxation reforms, and other crucial announcements for the coming year. While Sitharaman’s eight consecutive Budgets are a remarkable achievement, the record for the most Budget speeches remains with Morarji Desai (10, though not consecutive), followed by P Chidambaram (9).

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