Say cheese! PM gifts Parmelin 3 premium Indian cheeses

New Delhi, October 5: Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented Swiss President Guy Parmelin with special gifts reflecting India’s rich craftsmanship and culinary heritage.
Switzerland is known worldwide for its rich variety of cheeses. The PM gifted three award-winning Indian cheeses -- Gulmarg, Konark and Yeoor -- to the Swiss President. The PM also gifted Parmelin a hand-carved Kashmiri walnut wood wall panel.

Here is a deeper look into the gifts:

Gulmarg (French-style Brie): A heart-shaped, soft and creamy Brie made from pasteurised cow’s milk, with a snowy-white rind and earthy, mushroom-like notes. It received a Super Gold award at the 2026 Mundial do Queijo do Brasil.
Konark (French Tomme-style cheese): A rustic, natural-rind cheese with a supple texture, earthy and savoury flavours and a lemony finish. It won gold at the 2023 World Cheese Awards in Norway and Silver in Switzerland in 2025.
Yeoor (mountain-style cheese): An aged cheese inspired by Swiss Gruyère, matured for around 8–9 months to develop nutty, sweet and herbaceous flavours. Its rose-petal and fennel-decorated rind gives it a distinctive Indian-Alpine character, while its excellent melting quality makes it suitable for fondue and grilled preparations.
Kashmiri-style wall panel: The Kashmiri walnut wood wall panel showcases Kashmir’s centuries-old woodcarving heritage, crafted from premium Himalayan walnut wood and intricately hand-carved in deep relief. Depicting traditional landscapes, flora, human figures, horses, carriages and village life, it reflects the region’s distinctive artistic traditions shaped by indigenous and Central Asian influences, celebrating the skill and craftsmanship of Kashmiri artisans.

Kutchi shawl and Sadeli box

PM Modi also presented a special gift to Caroline Parmelin, the spouse of the visiting President. He gifted her a traditional Kutchi shawl, beautifully presented in a handcrafted Sadeli box, showcasing India’s rich textile heritage and intricate craftsmanship.
The Kutchi shawl and Sadeli box showcase Gujarat’s rich traditions of weaving and decorative craftsmanship. The Sadeli box, from Surat, features intricate geometric patterns created by precisely assembling and layering contrasting materials, while the Kutchi Shawl is a vibrant handwoven textile from Kutch, distinguished by geometric motifs and supplementary-weft weaving. Together, they celebrate Gujarat’s artistic heritage and the skill and ingenuity of its artisans.

 

Source & Wire Service: Prasar Bharati SHABD (DD / Akashvani News)