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Sitharaman's Red Digital Bahi-Khata Blends Tradition with Tech for Budget

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman continues the tradition of presenting the Union Budget using a digital tablet housed within a symbolic red 'bahi-khata' pouch. This practice, started in 2021, marks a deliberate move away from the colonial-era briefcase towards an indigenous and eco-friendly alternative. The upcoming presentation will be her ninth consecutive budget, reinforcing this blend of Indian tradition and modern technology. Following the budget, selected students from across India will witness the proceedings and interact with finance ministry officials.

Key Points: Sitharaman's Digital Bahi-Khata for Budget: Tradition Meets Tech

  • Ditches colonial briefcase for Indian bahi-khata
  • Uses digital tablet inside pouch for paperless Budget
  • Promotes eco-friendly and modern approach
  • Students to witness Budget live in Parliament
2 min read

FM Sitharaman shows red 'digital bahi-khata'

FM Nirmala Sitharaman uses a red digital 'bahi-khata' for the Budget, ditching the colonial briefcase to promote Indian tradition and eco-friendliness.

"time to leave behind the 'British hangover' - Nirmala Sitharaman"

New Delhi, Feb 1

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman once again highlighted the government's move towards tradition and technology on Sunday by carrying the Union Budget documents on a digital tablet placed inside a red 'bahi-khata' style pouch.

This continues the paperless Budget format introduced by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government.

FM Sitharaman first replaced the old leather briefcase, a symbol inherited from British times, with the traditional bahi-khata in 2019.

Two years later, in 2021, she switched to using a digital tablet to carry the Budget papers, further promoting a modern and eco-friendly approach.

The upcoming Budget presentation will be her ninth in a row as Finance Minister.

The bahi-khata is a red pouch that holds the digital tablet containing the Budget documents.

It is decorated with the golden national emblem and represents a clear shift away from the colonial-era briefcase tradition, which began in 18th-century Britain and was followed in India for decades.

By choosing the bahi-khata, FM Sitharaman aimed to move away from colonial symbols and adopt something rooted in Indian culture.

After presenting her first Budget in 2019, the Finance Minister had said it was time to leave behind the "British hangover" and use an indigenous alternative.

FM Sitharaman also mentioned that the bahi-khata was easier and more convenient to carry.

Meanwhile, after presenting the Union Budget 2026-27 in Parliament at 11 a.m., Finance Minister Sitharaman will interact with around 30 college students from different regions of the country.

As part of the initiative, the students will also witness the live presentation of the Union Budget from the Lok Sabha Gallery, giving them an opportunity to observe one of the most significant Parliamentary proceedings of the year, according to an official statement.

The students have been selected from a wide range of academic disciplines, including commerce, economics, medical education and vocational courses, and represent various states across India.

They will also visit the Ministry of Finance at Kartavya Bhawan-1 and interact with senior officials to gain insights into its functioning, policy formulation processes and the role of institutions in nation-building.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
I love the symbolism, but I hope the focus remains on the content of the Budget itself. The tablet inside the bahi-khata is a cool visual, but what matters are the policies for the common person – inflation, jobs, and support for farmers. The student interaction program is a fantastic initiative though!
R
Rohit P
Finally saying goodbye to the British briefcase! This small change has a big meaning. My grandfather used to keep his shop's accounts in a bahi-khata. Seeing it in Parliament feels connect. Hoping the budget inside it brings some good news for the middle class.
S
Sarah B
As someone who has followed Indian budgets for years, this is a refreshing change. The digital tablet makes practical sense, and wrapping it in a traditional pouch is a clever nod to culture. The initiative to involve students from diverse backgrounds is particularly commendable for building future civic engagement.
V
Vikram M
The gesture is good, but sometimes it feels like style over substance. The bahi-khata is from our business tradition, which is great. But is the budget itself helping the small businesses and 'kirana' stores that actually use such bahi-khatas? That's the real question. Let's see the numbers.
K
Kavya N
Eco-friendly and culturally rooted! 👏 Saving paper and ditching the colonial symbol in one go. My favourite part is the student interaction. Giving young people from medicine, commerce, and vocational courses a front-row seat to democracy in action is how you build an informed citizenry. More of this please!

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