Budget 2026: An artist from Uttar Pradesh has created a magnificent statue of Nirmala Sitharaman
Amroha: A 22-year-old artist from Amroha, Uttar Pradesh, Juhaib Khan, has created a six-foot-tall sketch of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on a wall to mark the presentation of the Union Budget 2026.
Juhaib Khan said, “I create paintings based on real events using charcoal. Since the budget is being presented today and Nirmala Sitharaman is presenting it for the ninth time, I decided to make a six-foot-tall sketch of her.”
In the artwork, Khan has depicted several elements, including grains of wheat, a happy family, and a soldier ready for battle. He said, “Through this sketch, I hope that the country will continue to progress and reach new heights.”
Earlier in the day, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the Union Budget 2026-27 at a meeting held in Parliament.
The Union Cabinet meeting took place at 10 am in the Parliament House, and after the Cabinet’s approval, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proceeded to Parliament to present the budget.
Earlier, Finance Minister Sitharaman met President Droupadi Murmu and presented her with a copy of the digital budget.
The President also offered Sitharaman ‘dahi-chini’ (curd and sugar) upon her arrival at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The Finance Minister was seen carrying her signature ‘bahi-khata,’ a tablet wrapped in a red cloth with the national emblem in gold.
Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary, Chief Economic Advisor Dr. V. Anantha Nageswaran, Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) Chairman Ravi Agarwal, and other officials were seen accompanying the Finance Minister.
Sitharaman is presenting her ninth consecutive Union Budget in the Lok Sabha. In 2021, she began using a digital tablet to carry the budget papers, promoting a modern and environmentally friendly approach.
The ‘bahi-khata’ is a red pouch containing the digital tablet with the budget documents. FM Sitharaman first adopted the traditional ‘bahi-khata’ in 2019, replacing the old leather briefcase used since the British era. Two years later, in 2021, she began using a digital tablet to carry the budget documents, further promoting a modern and eco-friendly approach.
This year, Sitharaman chose a deep maroon Kanjeevaram saree from Tamil Nadu. The saree had a deep maroon base with a contrasting border and subtle gold detailing, and was paired with a yellow blouse.
