Panaji, Sep 22 (IANS): Gujarat's first woman chief minister Anandiben Patel is the inspiration for Goa's first full-fledged woman governor Mridula Sinha when it comes to choosing fruits over flowers for welcoming guests.

According to a statement issued by the state information and publicity department Monday, Sinha welcomed Vice President Hamid Ansari and his wife Salma to Goa Sunday "with a basket of fruits instead of bouquet of flowers."

"The vice president and Salma Ansari lauded the gesture," said the statement.

It also said that Sinha on the occasion also mentioned the reason for switching from flowers to fruits while welcoming dignitaries.

"The governor mentioned that she was inspired by the Chief Minister of Gujarat Anandi Ben Patel, when she expressed a desire to be welcomed with basket of fruits instead of flowers. The fruits were later given to orphanage and child care centres for the needy children."

After taking over as chief minister some months back, Patel had issued a circular instructing that fruits and not flowers should be presented to her as a token of welcome. The fruits presented to the chief minister are later distributed to children studying in anganwadis.