Looking to expand the Make in India in defence sector, India’s defence exports have skyrocketed to an all-time high, touching nearly the Rs 16,000 cr mark in FY 2022-23, Defence Ministry said on Friday.
“With a 23-fold increase in exports, Indian design and development capabilities are reaching over 85 countries,” the Defence Ministry announced.
The Indian indigenous defence industry has achieved the success in expanding exports with sale of major defence systems including the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, Akash air defence systems and artillery guns to a friendly country.
The Indian export strategy includes identifying newer markets for countries who are friendly and are looking at long lasting relationship for military hardware.
The Indian industry is now competing with global firms for exporting their military hardware and have been in competition in multiple countries including South East Aisa and Africa.
(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)
During session 2 of the first day of the G20 Summit being held in Delhi, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the leaders of the bloc have arrived at a consensus on a leaders’ declaration. Addressing the session, PM Modi said that consensus on the New Delhi G20 Leaders Summit Declaration has been reached, calling it good news.
He said that the consensus was achieved with the hard work of the teams and the cooperation of all the participants. PM Modi then proposed to adopt the declaration, and the G20 leaders adopted the declaration.
“I congratulate my ministers, Sherpa, all officials who worked hard for it and made it possible,” PM Modi added. The PM further said, “India’s G20 Presidency has been the most ambitious in the history of G-20. With 112 outcomes and presidency documents, we have more than doubled the substantive work from previous presidencies.”
Reportedly, the G20 under India’s presidency have achieved 73 outcomes or lines of effort and 39 annexed presidency documents, totalling 112. This is the highest number of outcomes and presidency documents in the G20 history and is substantially more than previous presidencies.
Talking about the development, India’s G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant said that with the adoption of the Delhi Declaration, “today’s era must be marked as the golden age of human-centric globalisation”. He added that India’s G20 Presidency under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi has worked tirelessly towards this goal.
The #NewDelhiLeadersDeclaration has been officially adopted at the #G20India Leaders’ Summit! Today’s era must be marked as the golden age of human-centric globalisation & India’s G20 Presidency under the leadership of PM @narendramodi has worked tirelessly towards this goal
Media had claimed there would be no joint statement
The consensus on the Delhi Declaration was significant because there were speculations in the media that the G20 Leaders’ Summit would end without a joint statement. Several media reports had claimed that a joint communique was unlikely due to differences between member nations, especially disagreements between Russia and Western countries over the war in Ukraine.
Notorious fake news peddler, The Wire had claimed that there would be no Delhi Declaration as the West had rejected India’s compromise text on contentious matters. It had said that the text drafted by India on the Ukraine war did “not go far enough” to be accepted by G7 and EU members.
Similarly, the Mint had said that India’s G20 Presidency could be the first to not issue a joint declaration at the end of the summit. The report stated that Russia and China were opposing use of strong language over the Ukraine war issue. Similarly India Today had predicted that the absence of Putin and Jinping at the Summit would mean there would be no joint statement.
There were other issues with disagreements, like climate issues and the reduction in the use of fossil fuels. Several earlier G20 meetings, including ministerial meetings and the meeting of the Sherpas, failed to arrive at a consensus on these issues, fuelling the speculation that a joint declaration would not be possible. It was reported that the drafts prepared by India were not found sufficient by several nations.
However, at the end, Indian officials worked hard and were able to prepare a draft acceptable to all. The details of the New Delhi G20 Leaders’ Summit Declaration have not been made public yet.
On Wednesday (September 6), the ‘disinformation correspondent‘ of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Marianna Spring, came under scanner after it came to light that the supposed ‘fact checker’ lied on her CV to land a job in 2018.
The revelations were first made in an article published by a weekly newspaper, The New European. Titled ‘When the BBC’s disinformation correspondent lied on her CV’, the article exposed how Marianna Spring had fabricated her own Curriculum vitae.
“…The high standard of integrity and honesty Spring today demands of others has not always been entirely consistent with her own behaviour,” it emphasised.
Screengrab of the news article by The New European
The New European informed that Spring was eyeing the job as a Moscow stringer for the US-based news portal, Coda Story, in 2018. At that time, she lied in her CV and falsely claimed that she worked with BBC correspondent Sarah Rainsford and covered the 2018 FIFA World Cup for the news channel in Russia.
The fabricated CV was part of Spring’s application to Coda Story’s Editor-in-Chief, Natalia Antelava. “June 2018: Reported on International News during the World Cup, specifically the perception of Russia, with BBC correspondent Sarah Rainsford,” the BBC disinformation correspondent claimed in her CV.
“This claim was, unfortunately, pure disinformation. In reality, she had merely met Rainsford in a couple of social situations. The claim was a lie. A simple check by Antelava with Rainsford resulted in the latter admonishing Spring for the embellishment in her CV,” The New European said in its article on September 6.
Marianna Spring downplays CV fraud as ‘awful misjudgment’
The BBC’s disinformation correspondent later downplayed her fraudulent behaviour in an apology email written to Sarah Rainsford. “Awful misjudgment,” she attempted to trivialise her dishonest behaviour.
“I’ve only bumped into Sarah whilst she’s working and chatted to her at various points, but nothing more. Everything else on my CV is entirely true…There’s absolute no excuse at all, and I’m really sorry again,” Marianna Spring conceded before boasting of her ‘brilliance’ as a reporter.
“Telling me you are a brilliant reporter who exercises integrity and honesty when you have literally demonstrated the opposite was a terrible idea…I am sure if you use this as a lesson, things will work out,” the Editor-in-Chief of Coda Story had cautioned.
Disinformation correspondent of BBC dubbed delta strain of Covid-19 as ‘Indian variant’
At a time when India was struggling with the second wave of the pandemic, Marianna Spring was busy targeting the Indian community over the ‘delta variant’ of the deadly COVID-19 virus.
In a tweet on May 18, 2021, she had claimed, “Concerns over vaccine hesitancy leading to hospitalisations in Bolton – where the India variant has spiked – have raised questions about the impact of online anti-vaccine content.“
Screengrab of the tweet by Marianna Spring
Despite being well aware that dubbing the delta strain as ‘Indian variant’ can encourage prejudice against the Indian community, the BBC’s disinformation correspondent was unabashed in its usage.
It is interesting to note that the left-liberal ecosystem opposed the labelling of COVID-19 as ‘Chinese virus’, despite the fact that the pathogen originated in the Wuhan province of China. But somehow, it is acceptable for the same coterie to dub the delta strain of the same virus as the ‘Indian variant.’
BBC downplays allegations against Marianna Spring, The Guardian hails her
Despite her checkered past, Marianna Spring was hailed by the leftist British newspaper ‘The Guardian‘ as a supposed crusader against ‘disinformation and hate’ on social media.
I chatted to Zoe Williams and the Guardian about exposing the consequences of social media, disinformation and hate.
The British Broadcasting Corporation has so far not commented on the development. Interestingly, the Head of Communications for BBC Radio, Philly Spurr, was seen defending Marianna Spring.
You've sent 5 consecutive tweets saying this now. How is 'Be kind to each other!' on your profile working out for you?
“Thank you for being an absolutely lying hypocrite with ZERO credibility. Sack NOW! @BBCNews,” remarked an X user. Instead of admonishing her colleague, Spurr came to the rescue of Springs, who is now accused of CV manipulation.
“You’ve sent 5 consecutive tweets saying this now. How is ‘Be kind to each other!’ on your profile working out for you?” the BBC employee resorted to whataboutery.
At the ongoing G20 Summit in New Delhi, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to unveil the ambitious Rail and Shipping corridor along with other key stakeholders the US, EU, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. This ambitious project of a rail-shipping corridor aims to establish India as a significant global hub for international business and commerce by linking India, the Middle East, and the EU.
The project is presently not proceeding within the I2U2 framework (India, Israel, the US, and the UAE) while efforts are on to strengthen relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. However, Israel is expected to be incorporated into the framework at a later stage. This initiative is expected to establish a comprehensive railway and shipping corridor, ushering in new frontiers of progress in commerce, energy, and digital connectivity.
The rail-shipping corridor project aims to establish railway connections between Arab countries in the Levant and the Gulf, with additional plans to link to India through Gulf seaports. This ambitious initiative has been under discussion for the past 18 months within the I2U2 forum, consisting of the US, Israel, the UAE, and India. Formed in late 2021, this forum serves as a platform for strategic infrastructure discussions in the Middle East and seeks to counter China’s expanding influence in the region.
The proposed Rail-shipping Corridor. Image Source: www.iadnews.in
The concept of connecting the Middle East through railways was initially proposed by Israel during these discussions, with the idea of leveraging India’s expertise in large-scale infrastructure projects. The Biden administration subsequently expanded the project to include Saudi Arabia. This joint infrastructure endeavour could be a significant initiative in the Middle East, aimed at countering China’s growing influence in the region, especially within the context of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. India and other global players are now actively engaging in projects to safeguard and bolster global trade routes from the increasing Chinese influence.
The Belt and Road initiative by China has landed countries like Sri Lanka and Pakistan in grave economic crises. Image Source: Asia Insurance Review
John Finner, the Principal Deputy National Security Advisor of the United States said that this initiative aims to bridge infrastructure gaps by providing high-quality, transparent, and sustainable infrastructure. It will not be imposed but rather it will operate on a voluntary basis, catering to the specific needs of each sector. Unlike China’s ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ (BRI), this endeavour prioritises quality over coercion, in contrast to BRI, which has burdened many countries with debt and lacked transparency, often leading to forced participation.
The US plans to sign a joint infrastructure plan with India, Middle Eastern countries and the European Union aimed at connecting them https://t.co/jz3Izr56Ot
He further said that this is being done under Joe Biden’s policy towards West Asia. John Finner highlighted that the interconnection of three major world regions would foster prosperity and address infrastructure deficits in low and middle-income nations. He said that the US has pledged wholehearted cooperation in this initiative, emphasising its potential to alleviate international tensions. He confirmed that the US views this initiative as a positive agenda, characterised by consensual collaboration.
According to reports, President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are set to unveil this project as part of the Partnership for Global Infrastructure Investment. This initiative, centred around a railway and maritime corridor, seeks to enhance trade among the participating countries.
The importance of India’s participation in this project lies in India’s expertise in operating complex networks in challenging situations. Laying down railway tracks across the desert in the gulf and the other difficult terrains is where India will be at the forefront.
A young man named Anil was beaten to death in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. Police have arrested Akhlakh, Shubhan and Naushad who apprehended him on suspicion of theft. Afterwards, he was brutally assaulted following which he passed away.
According to reports, the incident transpired at the Teela Mod police station neighbourhood of Ghaziabad district. Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Suryabali Maurya stated that at around 8 am on 7 September information was received on Dial 112 about a young man’s dead body sprawled in the Tulsi Niketan area.
The body was taken into custody after notifying the family and sent for a postmortem. A case of murder has been registered by the deceased’s mother. The senior official added that it was discovered that the victim had been abused on the evening of 6 September when the police inspected his corpse.
The perpetrators were captured by them as the investigation progressed. Police are looking for other accused involved in the case. The antemortem injury was determined to be the cause of death, per the top cop’s assessment of the autopsy report.
The culprits mentioned that they owned a furniture business during interrogation by the authorities. The last few days have witnessed instances of theft in their store. Meanwhile, they learned that someone had broken into the shop on the evening of 6 September. When they arrived, a drunken man had already entered the property.
The victim was thrashed by people who were around and left there afterwards. The news of his death reached them the following morning. He was a heroin addict, based on his family and had been caught stealing earlier as well.
While India has opened its arms to welcoming world leaders and dignitaries for the prestigious G20 Summit being held in the national capital on September 9 and 10, 2023, the left-leaning liberal brigade is seizing the occasion to display their innate anti-Hindu and anti-India prejudice. Divya Dwivedi, an IIT Delhi professor, is one such ardent member of this cabal who could not hide her hate for Modi and Hindus and brazenly went on to utilize the G20 platform to hurl venom against Hinduism and India.
Speaking to the French media outlet France 24, Dwivedi, who is also a columnist associated with several leftist media portals like The Caravan, Wire and Scroll.in, said that she sees the future of India without Hinduism. “There are two Indias. Past India of racialized caste order oppressing the majority population and then there is the India of the future that is an egalitarian India without caste oppression and Hinduism. That is the India which is not yet represented but is waiting, longing for the world to show its visage to the world.”
??? Philosopher and author Divya Dwivedi says there are two Indias: ➖ Past India of racialized caste order oppressing the majority population. ➖ The idea of a future egalitarian India without caste oppression and Hinduism.
At this point, the France 24 journalist questioning her shared the story of a humble Indian rickshaw puller to ask her opinion on how measures like digitisation and globalisation undertaken by India are benefiting the citizens of the country. He told Divya Dwivedi that the rickshaw puller explained to him how PM Modi’s Digital India initiative helped him connect not just with his clients, but with the entire world, and grow his business. He inquired with the IIT professor whether or not the personal experience of the rickshaw puller is sufficient to ensure that the “future is smiling upon India”. However, motivated by her avid hate for Modi, the professor dismisses the French journalist’s inquiry, referring to such stories as “mediatised anecdotes.”
Following in the footsteps of several Indian leftist liberals and politicians, such as Congress blue-eyed boy Rahul Gandhi, who takes pride in disparaging India on global platforms, Divya Dwivedi continued to spew venom against India, claiming that severe castism and discrimination have been prevalent in the country for years and continues to dominate India even today.
As if the vitriol she spewed against Hindusim and Modi wasn’t enough, the IIT professor went on to further show India in low light in front of the global media by inferring that only a handful of India’s upper caste continues to hold lucrative and powerful positions in the country. She basically tried to imply that not only minorities are being discriminated against in Modi’s India, but so are other communities like Dalit communities, Tribal communities, and lower-caste communities.
“If we go beyond the mediatised anecdotes such as the one of the rickshaw puller we should first keep in mind the basic principle to understand the split within Indian society which is that India has been shaped over the 300 years by the racialised order of caste where 10 per cent of the upper caste are a minority but they occupy 90 per cent of the lucrative and powerful positions that continues even today,” she is heard saying, with special emphasis on the words ‘even today.’
When the France 24 journalist interjects and tells Divya Dwivedi that India is not the only place where discrimination exists, the IIT professional briefly agrees with him before quickly returning to berating India and the Indian government.
“90 per cent of the Indian population which over 3000 years has been experiencing dissent-based racialised oppression, exclusion and even false to hoax representation in the form of Hindu religion and that is the India we now see is being emblematised…put forward even in this conference right up to the colours of the logo which represents the colours of the ruling party.
Dwivedi continued displaying her extreme hate for the BJP and the RSS by adding, “RSS, which is the parent organisation of BJP, is not only a fascist organisation but represents the upper caste supremacist interests of the minority of the country.”
Divya Dwivedi and her anti-Hindu bigotry
Divya Dwivedi is an assistant professor who teaches philosophy and literature at IIT-Delhi. She has co-authored a book on Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. Her deep-seated hatred for Hindus and Hinduism has been on display on various previous occasions.
The IIT Professor stirred controversy in 2019 when during a television debate on NDTV she spread similar vitriol against Hinduism. “Hindu Right is the corollary of the idea that India is a Hindu majority population and this is a false majority. The Hindu religion was invented in the early 20th century in order to hide the fact that the lower caste people are the real majority of India…” Dwivedi said on the show that discussed Gandhi and politics.
“In fact, religious minorities have been a victim of this false majority and Gandhi has played a very significant role in its construction. He has helped construct a false Hindu majority and a new Hindu identity…” she said.
Dwivedi added, “He (Gandhi) was one of the many upper caste leaders who constructed this origin for this polity but today we must discard it…”
What the IIT professor tried to do then and even now is to establish a narrative that the lower castes were not historically Hindu up until the last century, and then the upper castes created an umbrella notion of Hinduism to include all lower castes under it, finally Hinduising them. But the truth is rather different. For ages, the so-called “lower castes” have been Hindus and have had a tremendous influence on Hindu culture and religion.
The IIT professor’s views plainly show the deep hatred and animosity she has for Hindus, which she has used to try to create a schism within the Hindu society, particularly between the higher and lower castes.
Ahmedabad Police have busted an illegal weapons racket in Gujarat. Six individuals caught in possession of a huge amount of cash and a cache of weapons and ammunition were taken into custody by the Zone 7 Local Crime Branch (LCB) on 7 September. Nine pistols, a revolver, 61 rounds, and three magazines were seized by the police.
Shahnawaz Sheikh, Samir Pathan, Faran Khan Pathan, Uzer Khan Pathan, Zaid Khan Pathan and Shah Rukh Khan Pathan have been apprehended whereas a search effort is in progress to nab another perpetrator named Aftab who has eluded capture. The day-long operation took place on 6 September.
Police informed, “A total of 6 persons were arrested from Wasana and Jamalpur area of Ahmedabad city and 9 pistols and 1 revolver worth Rs 2,50,000 and 61 live cartridges worth Rs 6100 and 3 empty magazines worth Rs 1500 were seized from them. 2 Mobile phone keys worth Rs 8000 were found and cash worth Rs 2,65,600 was seized.”
— Ahmedabad Police અમદાવાદ પોલીસ (@AhmedabadPolice) September 7, 2023
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) S.D. Patel detailed the course of the procedure. He stated that after cops received a tip from Tarun Duggal of Zone-7 Assistant Sub-inspector (ASI), Ramanina, in command of the LCB squad alerted his team about a man with a pistol-like object and numerous other objects. He was standing on Vijay Sales Road in front of Vasana Rajyash Complex opposite Juhapura. They confronted the man after acting on this knowledge.
They searched him, discovered his name, and found a pistol of local manufacture with three live rounds. He was identified as Vatva resident Shahnawaz Sheikh. The police inquired further and uncovered that he acquired the weapon from Samir Rashid Khan Pathan who lived in Farjanaba’s home in the same neighbourhood.
Later, it turned out that the weapon retrieved from Shahnawaz Sheikh was worth between Rs. 25,000 and Rs 50,000 while the other nine firearms were obtained from Aftab in Madhya Pradesh. He is a native of Khargone district in the state. Samir Pathan was in charge of transporting these weapons.
Five of the firearms were located at Faran Khan Pathan’s place which came to light during his probe. Both Zaid Khan Pathan and Uzer Khan Pathan had four other weapons in their possession. Shahrukh Khan Pathan was given a gun by Zaid Khan in Jamalpur.
An official proclaimed, “Arrested accused Samir Pathan is a native of Khargone and was currently living in a rented accommodation in Vatva area here. The other accused stay in Jamalpur and Vatva areas.”
He further added, “One country-made pistol and three cartridges were recovered from his possession. Shahnawaz Sheikh told police he had bought it from Samir Pathan a few months back. He, after being held from his rented home, said he had bought 10 country-made firearms from Aftab.”
The press release conveyed that Shahanawaz Sheikh purchased one pistol and three cartridges. Faran Khan Pathan of Jamalpur was sold nine other weapons, including a revolver and 58 live rounds. It read, “Later during the day, police arrested Faran Khan Pathan and three others who had purchased these illegal arms and ammunition from him. An FIR (First Information Report) has been registered against Aftab and these six persons under the Arms Act.”
These weapons were reportedly transported on buses while being covered by food. Whether these firearms were meant to be sold or intended to be used to carry out terrorist activity at the Janmashtami festival is being investigated by the authorities.
The investigation is concentrated on determining the reason for bringing the weapons into the city. Following a prior weapon seizure in Ahmedabad, this occurrence prompted authorities to look into the motivations of individuals who were arrested. The offenders are booked under the Arms Act at Vasana Police Station.
On Saturday, September 9, 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the G20 Summit at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. He also addressed the G20 leaders on this occasion. Notably, the nameplate kept in front of the Prime Minister displayed ‘Bharat’ and not India.
This development follows a recent controversy surrounding the shift from ‘India’ to ‘Bharat’ in the dinner invitation extended by President Droupadi Murmu to foreign leaders attending the G20 Summit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing the G20 nations with the nameplate ‘Bharat’ is perceived as a strong response to those who objected to the use of ‘Bharat’ in the nation’s name.
The United Nations announced on Friday 8th September 2023 that it will update India’s name to Bharat in its records once New Delhi fulfills all the necessary formalities. According to a report by NDTV, United Nations Secretary General’s chief spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said, “When India completes the formalities to change the name, they will inform us and we will change the name at the UN records.”
The discourse on renaming India as Bharat gained momentum in anticipation of an upcoming parliamentary session whose agenda is yet undisclosed. Multiple news reports and speculations indicate potential deliberation and approval of this name change during the session. Many members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and many eminent figures in Indian society working in various fields have proposed prioritising the name Bharat over India, as it better aligns with the nation’s cultural heritage and distances from colonial associations tied to the name India.
On the other hand, many opposition leaders have rejected the idea of a name change, dismissing it as a diversionary tactic. They contend that the name India is firmly rooted and that altering it is unnecessary.
The upcoming special parliamentary session is scheduled from September 18, 2023, to September 22, 2023. Several speculations have arisen regarding the undisclosed session agenda, fuelled by media reports and self-proclaimed experts critiquing the government. One of the speculations gaining attention in recent days is the potential shift from ‘India’ to ‘Bharat’ as the country’s primary name. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to global leaders at the G20, marked by a ‘Bharat’ nameplate, sends a powerful message to those opposing the prominent use of ‘Bharat’ and challenging the original identity of the world’s oldest civilisation.
Manmohan Saini, an artist from the Mahoba area of Uttar Pradesh is filled with pride at the moment as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to greet foreign leaders attending the G20 Leaders Summit on September 9 and 10 and hand out souvenirs that were personally created by him. These unique mementoes are known as ‘kamalam’ and he has produced about 50 of these brass lotuses for this special occasion, as per reports.
This memento is a hand-made artefact of brass in the shape of a lotus. Manmohan Saini stated, “It’s the design that makes these mementoes rare and special.” He has spent more than 30 years perfecting the craft of making brass artefacts.
The Kamalam mementoes are being presented to state heads and other dignitaries visiting Delhi to attend the G20 Summit. The brass lotus mementoes are a perfect match for G20 under India’s chairmanship as the logo of the event has a lotus in it.
Manmohan Saini is a metal craftsman and a national award winner from Mahoba. He expressed, “It is in the form of a special lotus prepared in a way that a slight rotation will open its outermost petals and, on rotating further, will result in a fully bloomed flower.” He added that no other craftsman can make them except him.
Manmohan Saini revealed that it was because of his expertise that representatives from Uttar Pradesh Handicraft Development and Marketing Corporation Ltd approached him eight months ago and told him to create exclusive relics for the G20 summit.
He voiced, “Back then, I took it lightly, thinking G20 would be like any other event but when I saw it on TV recently, I got to know that it is something big and I am fortunate enough to be chosen for the task.”
He noted that it took him about six months to finish the full shipment of 50 artefacts. He explained their characteristics and highlighted that the ‘kamalam’ brass lotus is five inches in length and has eight little and large petals on each.
“Once it is opened the artefact resembles a lotus in full bloom, and when it is closed all the petals are closed inside and a lotus bud is visible. It took three months to make 50 lotuses,” said Saini.
He further added that Lok Sabha MP from Hamirpur, Pushpendra Singh Chandel and the deputy chief minister of the state, Keshav Prasad Maurya, presented the prime minister with a ‘kamalam’ made by him in 2016 at the Bharatiya Janata Party’s ‘Parivartan rally.’
Notably, Prime Minister Modi has picked indigenously developed objects of art to be presented to foreign dignitaries in the past as well in order to emphasise India’s distinctive culture. His wife and the First Lady Dr. Jill Biden also received a similar brooch.
The unique artwork which involves enamelling and colouring silver objects pink is only produced in the Varanasi district of Uttar Pradesh. Gold oxide is used to achieve this pink colour which is the reason behind its name ‘gulabi.’
India is hosting the prestigious G20 Summit this year, bringing together top leaders, diplomats, and business magnates from 20 major economies from around the world. The grand event is taking place in the heart of Delhi on 9th and 10th September 2023 at the Bharat Mandapam, located within the iconic Pragati Maidan complex. As the nation assumed the G20 presidency in December 2022, preparations for this momentous occasion were in full swing for several months.
When a country is entrusted with the privilege of hosting a global gathering of this magnitude, it becomes a golden opportunity to showcase its capabilities, share its cultural heritage, and impart knowledge about its public welfare initiatives to the world. The city of Delhi has undergone a remarkable transformation ahead of this esteemed conference. The summit is being held at the Bharat Mandapam venue in Pragati Maidan, which has been decorated in a way that gives ample symbolic information to visitors about Indian culture, tradition, society, history, arts, and folklore.
The Konark Wheel Replica at the G20 Summit Venue Bharat Mandapam
One of the most captivating attractions drawing the attention of visitors is the magnificent Konark Wheel displayed prominently at the venue. This remarkable structure derives its name from the world-renowned Konark Sun Temple in Odisha, where it finds its origin. Upon their arrival at the Bharat Mandapam International Exhibition and Convention Centre in New Delhi, world leaders and foreign delegates were greeted by the awe-inspiring replicas of the renowned Konark Sun Temple’s wheel and intricate sculptures. This grand display served as the backdrop for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s warm reception of the arriving leaders, marking the commencement of the G20 Summit.
G20 Summit: For welcome handshake of all leaders with PM Modi, India showcases Odisha's Konark wheel
The Konark Wheel bears profound symbolism, encapsulating notions of time, progress, and the perpetual flux of existence. Derived from the illustrious Sun Temple in Konark, Odisha, dedicated to Surya, the Hindu deity of the sun, this architectural marvel holds the esteemed status of being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned for its intricate carvings and sculptures. Comprising 12 spokes, the wheel symbolises the 12 months in a year, while the central 8 bars represent the 8 prahars, or temporal divisions of the day. The wheel’s rotational motion elegantly signifies the ceaseless passage of time and the unending cycle of transformation.
The Konark Wheel at Konark Temple. Image Source: www.thekonark.in
The Konark Wheel holds multifaceted significance, offering a rich tapestry of interpretations. It serves as a poignant reminder of India’s opulent heritage and culture while emanating a beacon of hope and optimism for the days ahead. This emblematic wheel encapsulates several profound connotations. It stands as a reverent symbol of Surya, the Sun God, embodying his ability to bestow light, life, and vitality upon the world. It also underscores the importance of time, urging us to make the most of every moment. Furthermore, it symbolises progress and continuous improvement, reflecting India’s resilience and the enduring spirit of its people.
The Sun Temple in Konark
The Sun Temple in Konark stands as a revered UNESCO World Heritage Site, holding a paramount position in India’s architectural and cultural heritage. Constructed in the 13th century under the patronage of King Narasimhadeva I from the Eastern Ganga dynasty, this splendid temple is a dedicated tribute to Surya, the Hindu deity of the sun. Its renown extends far and wide due to the exquisite carvings and sculptures adorning its structure, narrating captivating tales from Hindu mythology. Notably, the temple’s iconic carving features Surya’s chariot, elegantly drawn by seven majestic horses. Furthermore, this architectural marvel boasts a distinctive style, artfully amalgamating elements from Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain architectural traditions.
The Konark Sun Temple. Image Source: Google Arts and Culture
Importance of Sun and Lord Shiva in the Indian Culture
The worship of the sun holds immense significance in Indian culture, signifying light, energy, and life itself. The Konark Sun Temple is a testament to the deep-rooted reverence for the sun in the hearts of the Indian people. Contemporary India’s will to study the sun on scientific parameters is also commendable. Indian Space Research Organisation has recently launched its mission Aditya L1 to observe and study the sun.
Nataraja statue at the Bharat Mandapam. Image Source: Edunovations
Another captivating highlight at the Bharat Mandapam venue is the world’s largest Nataraja statue, crafted from ‘Ashtadhatu’ (eight metals). This awe-inspiring sculpture stands proudly in front of the venue, symbolising the rich cultural heritage of India. The Nataraja is a depiction of the Hindu god Shiva as the cosmic dancer, and it represents the cyclical nature of life and the universe.
Why Konark Wheel at the G20 Summit?
The Konark Wheel is a symbol of India’s commitment to progress and development. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of time and the need to constantly strive for improvement. The G20 summit is an opportunity for India to showcase its rich culture and heritage to the world. The Konark Wheel and the Sun Temple are just two examples of the many treasures that India has to offer. The summit is also an opportunity for India to discuss its vision for the future and its commitment to global cooperation.
The significance of the Konark Wheel goes beyond its historical roots. In the context of India’s current journey towards becoming a global economic powerhouse, the wheel represents the nation’s unwavering commitment to innovation, sustainable development, and progress. Its presence at the G20 summit is a testament to India’s growth story, which is earning accolades on the international stage.
As India welcomes the world’s leaders to the G20 summit at Bharat Mandapam, it not only showcases its grandeur and culture but also emphasises its commitment to progress and innovation. The presence of the Nataraja idol and the Konark Wheel serves as a reminder of India’s rich heritage and its path towards a brighter, more dynamic future on the global stage. The G20 summit in Delhi is more than just a diplomatic event; it is a celebration of India’s diversity, dynamism, and dedication to a prosperous tomorrow.
