Beijing, Aug 28 (IANS): Indians have black skin that highlights gold jewellery, a state-run Chinese daily says in an article that goes on to observe that even girls begging on roadsides have a "gold nail in the nose" and that Indian women don't go out without a nose ring.

"Indian women won't go out" without a gold nose ring, says the article `Indian beauties wearing gold jewellery' in People's Daily Online.

The Indian government plans to issue "paper gold" to encourage people to purchase gold reserved in banks. Many Indians still scramble for this, which reflects Indian affection and reliance for gold, it said.

"In India it will be considered impolite if women go out without any jewellery," the article, accompanied by a photograph of Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai and other models, said.

"Among all kinds of jewellery, Indians prefer gold ones. Indians have black skin and wearing gold jewellery can highlight this feature. Indian women wearing gold earrings and necklaces can be spotted everywhere. Even those little girls who beg along the roadside with an unkempt appearance have a gold nail in the nose," it added.

It went on to add that in India "it is also very common that men wear jewellery".

"Many Indian men wear three rings with large pieces of jewels on them."

The daily said that for marriage, parents usually choose gold ornaments as daughter's dowry, "which not only set off the beauty of the daughter but can also serve as a kind of property in married life".

"Because of the affection of Indian people towards gold jewellery, jewellery shops are everywhere in India. No matter in metropolises or small cities all the most luxuriously decorated and brightly illuminated shops are selling jewellery," it said.