State sends Channapatna toys to US President

Not to be left behind, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has sent gifts to visiting United States President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama.

According to sources here, the Karnataka government has written letters to Obama and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing its wish to hand over the gifts to the US president.  The letters have been handed over to the officials of the Ministry of External Affairs. However, the reaction of the MEA was not immediately known.

Sources said Siddaramaiah had sent specially-made toys from Channapatna and the famous Mysore silk sari, a dhoti and a shawl to the Obamas. If the MEA gives its nod, the gifts, which are now in Karnataka Bhavan, would be handed over to the Obamas before their departure on Tuesday.

The sources said that the chief minister has explained the importance of Channapatna toys and silk sari in his letters.