A Flashback to India's Iconic 'Budget & Briefcase' Tradition

Feb 01, 2025, 04:26 PM
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TT Krishnamachari

TT Krishnamachari opted for a file bag, reflecting administrative efficiency in a young republic.

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Jawaharlal Nehru

Jawaharlal Nehru was seen with a black briefcase, highlighting the growing role of economic planning in nation-building.

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Dr Manmohan Singh

Dr. Manmohan Singh carried a black bag in 1991, unveiling the landmark economic liberalisation that redefined India’s economy.

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Piyush Goyal

Piyush Goyal became the last Finance Minister to carry a briefcase in 2019, presenting the interim Budget with a bold red case.

Nirmala Sitharaman

Post-2019: The briefcase gave way to the ‘bahi-khata’, symbolising India’s shift from colonial relics to indigenous traditions.

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Significane of the Budget

The briefcase wasn’t just an accessory—it carried the blueprints of India’s economic evolution through decades of change.

Photo Credit : Reuters