How Different Is The ‘Modi Vest’ From The Iconic ‘Nehru Jacket’?
Recently, the South Korean President stirred a massive debate on Twitter when he shared a photo of himself wearing a ‘Modi vest’
Recently, South Korean President Moon Jae-in unwittingly stirred a massive debate on micro-blogging site Twitter when he shared a photo of himself wearing what he described as a ‘Modi vest’.
“Prime Minister @narendramodi of India sent me some gorgeous garments. These are modernized versions of traditional Indian costume, known as the ‘Modi Vest’, that can also be worn easily in Korea. They fit perfectly,” he wrote.
Prime Minister @narendramodi of India sent me some gorgeous garments. These are modernized versions of traditional Indian costume, known as the ‘Modi Vest’, that can also be worn easily in Korea. They fit perfectly. pic.twitter.com/3QTFIczX6H
— 문재인 (@moonriver365) October 31, 2018
During my visit to India, I had told the Prime Minister @narendramodi that he looked great in those vests, and he duly sent them over, all meticulously tailored to my size. I would like to thank him for this kind gesture. pic.twitter.com/wRgekJSW16
— 문재인 (@moonriver365) October 31, 2018
Almost immediately, Twitter was up in arms stating that what Jae-in was wearing was not a ‘Modi vest’ but a Nehru jacket.
It’s really nice of our PM to send these but could he not have sent them without changing the name? All my life I’ve known these jackets as Nehru jackets & now I find these ones have been labelled “Modi Jacket”. Clearly nothing existed in India before 2014. https://t.co/MOa0wY37tr
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) October 31, 2018
Mr. President, You are wrong. This is not Modi Vest, this is Nehru jacket. Modi is no Nehru, can never be one. If anything Modi, that is Khaki Nikkar. https://t.co/8DrZ8b1RVM
— Ashok Swain (@ashoswai) October 31, 2018
However, NDTV reports that Bipin Chauhan, managing director of JadeBlue Lifestyle India (the company that sent the jackets to Jae-in) has come up with a rebuttal.
“Originally, these were ‘bandhgala’ (closed neck) jackets. They were worn by Nehru and even Sardar Patel. But the ones we sell are Modi Jackets. It is a bit longer and more comfortable in fit than Nehru Jackets,” Chauhan said, reports the news website. He also added that these jackets were different from the Nehru jackets as PM Modi preferred a more varied colour palette.
“In the past, these jackets, worn by Nehru and Sardar, were considered premium apparel for the elite. Now Modiji has popularised them among the masses,” he added.