Along with Lokesh joined the Governor Syed Abdul Nazeer, Assembly Speaker of the Legislative, Chintakayala Ayyanna Patrudu, and Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha. 

The presentation was more than a ceremonial exchange. It reflected the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government's continuing effort to use nationally significant occasions to showcase Andhra Pradesh's traditional arts and crafts. Coming soon after the promotion of Mangalagiri handloom, the choice of an Etikoppaka craft signals a broader attempt to position the state's indigenous heritage as a cultural ambassador before the country. 

The idol itself carried a symbolism of its own. Depicting Lord Rama's coronation after his return to Ayodhya, the Sri Rama Pattabhishekam artwork brought together one of India's most enduring cultural narratives with one of Andhra Pradesh's oldest living craft traditions. In presenting it to the President, the government highlighted not only a handcrafted masterpiece but also the generations of artisans who have kept the tradition alive. 

Nestled on the banks of the Varaha River, Etikoppaka has been producing handcrafted wooden artefacts for nearly four centuries. The village is known for its traditional Tharini technique, in which the soft wood of the Ankudu tree (Wrightia tinctoria) is shaped on hand-operated lathes and coloured using natural lac dyes extracted from roots, bark, seeds and leaves. Free from synthetic paints, the resulting products are eco-friendly, non-toxic and safe for children. From mythological figurines and Raja-Rani dolls to spinning tops, musical instruments and home décor, every piece reflects a craft passed down through generations. 

The village's artisans have steadily gained wider recognition over the years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted Etikoppaka in his Mann Ki Baat programme in 2020, helping revive national interest in the craft. Earlier, it had received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2017 following an application filed by the then TDP government in 2014, giving legal recognition to one of Andhra Pradesh's oldest handicraft traditions. 

For the TDP government, the presentation of the Etikoppaka idol was part of a larger cultural narrative. Following its promotion of Mangalagiri handloom, the government has continued to use high-profile public occasions to bring Andhra Pradesh's traditional crafts into the national conversation, ensuring that the state's artisan communities receive visibility alongside its political and economic aspirations.