The traditional 'halwa ceremony', marking the final stage in the preparation ahead of the interim Union Budget 2024 presentation, was held on Wednesday evening at the Union Finance Ministry headquarters at North Block in Delhi.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was seen unwrapping a huge iron wok which had halwa in it and distributing it to the officials of the ministry.

In a video shared online, Sitharaman was seen stirring the halwa before serving it to the officials.

Besides Sitharaman, Union Minister of State for Finance Dr Bhagwat Karad also attended the ceremony.

The ritual has been followed for decades and is inspired by the Indian tradition of eating something sweet before starting something important or special. It is also a gesture to acknowledge the efforts of all those involved in preparing the Budget.

Nirmala Sitharaman will present the interim budget on February 1.