What impressed me most about the just concluded G20 summit in New Delhi is not the Delhi Declaration 2023 or the grandeur of the venue or the gala buffet, but the way the heads of most powerful states of the world walked barefoot to Rajghat, the samadhi or tomb of father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi, led by our prime minister Shri Narendra Modi ji. Such a respect for Bharat/India almost makes me weep. There are puddles of water from previous evening’s monsoons that must have dirtied their socks or plain foot (as in case of the UK PM etc) but they don’t seem to mind the one kilometer stroll in the wet grounds. The Japanese PM ‘s wife showcased the ultimate respect resplendent in a bottle green silk sari complete with a bindi on her forehead. Thank you world for putting your trust on Bharat/India. We shall live up to that through eternity.
Our prime minister is well past his retirement age. He is working overtime for the nation and he has nothing to show by way of personal/material gain. India used to breed brahmacharis like him. Hindu culture is full of men like him starting from Bhishma pitamaha in Mahabharat times to those like Vivekananda, Ramana Maharishi and even Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Abdul Kalam etc., in recent times. These men chose celibacy and bachelorhood over marriage and family life to serve the nation/community in various walks of life. Mentored from very younger years, they lived up to their promises and made a difference to the society at large. This rare cultivated breed is now dying in Bharat sadly as such a sense of selfless service is getting scarcer to find day by day.
Bharat is scripting history hosting and chairing the G20 summit in the capital New Delhi, attended by the top 20 powerful nations on earth: United States, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, China, Russia, South Korea, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Indonesia, Japan, Turkey, Germany, Australia, France, Italy, Canada, South Africa and the European Union. Notable absentees may be Russia (reason Ukraine) and China (delhi belly 😀 )that have sent their second level teams. The venue is Bharat Mandapam whose architecture, interior and decor reflect the rich ancient heritage of the oldest and only continuously surviving civilization on earth, which is also the world’s largest democracy. India is already reverted to ‘Bharat’ as one can observe from nameplates etc. Security in Delhi is beefed up. The guest countries include the UAE and Oman from Middle east and Mauritius, Bangladesh, Spain and the Netherlands among others. India seems to be breaking the ice with Turkey. For the first time in Independent India history, India-Pakistan ties couldn’t have been better. Modi-Jaishankar brand of diplomacy is phenomenal. Together with Doval, the trio are the greatest plus for India. The G20 talks focused on climate change. The Delhi Declaration is out and the joint statement is signed by the member countries who have principally and unanimously arrived at a consensus on the state of political affairs of the world (read Ukraine-Russia war). Very bold, yet mature and restrained drafting by Bharat (India) chairing the G20.
So is India, officially ‘Bharat’ already? We are only reverting to our original name after some three centuries. G20 is a good platform to make the official global announcement. Besides, Bharat is mentioned in our constitution. This is after all the land of Bharatha, ancestor of Lord Ram. Interestingly, I get to watch Pakistan tv here in Doha. Never have I heard them mention us as India. Their Urdu news bulletins and discussions always mention India as Bharat only. Tamil/Malayalam and other vernacular news channels also refer to us as Bhaaratham. Poet and freedom fighter Subrahmanya Bharathi sang thus: Paarukkulle nalla naadu, engal Bhaaratha naadu. And of course, Bharat it has been with national/desi Hindi news channels. Nothing new. So DMK hypocrites have lost deposit already in the subject. Matter closed for further discussions. Meanwhile China can keep out of Bharat’s internal matters as the communist country does not even grant the rights for debates to the Chinese citizens. I loved Modi ji’s picture with the Bangladesh PM draped in a sari. They seem to have an understanding friendship-partnership which is crucial for bilateral ties. This third world nation could have gone the Pakistan way but they chose not to repeat the historical mistake. The conscious choices individuals/nations make decide their destiny. India’s neighbourhood concerns me more over the distant west.
By the way, impressive menu for the statesmen for dinner hosted by President Smt. Droupadi Murmu as chef Sanjeev Kapoor reveals. The daawat is a spread of finest cuisine, pan India, put forth with the millet theme, millet having been the superfood of our Hindu ancestors. Millets are making back their way into our homes now like never before and are here to stay.
The journalists got a share in the pie as well.
Here is the pretty picture! Sari goes well with the wife of the Japanese PM. She is comfortable draping the Benarasi which is commendable.
Before the closing note and wrap-up was the visit to the Raj Ghat by dignitaries led by PM Shri Narendra Modi where the leaders of G20 paid tributes to father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi. Good job India!
Pragyan rover clicks Vikram lander!Pragyan takes a walk of 100 m near lunar south polevikram softlands for a second time taking a leap. a step for vikram, a giant leap for India
Pragyan the probe from Vikram lander has so far discovered oxygen, aluminium, titanium and sulphur besides other minerals on the moon’s surface closer to the south pole. India’s Chandrayaan 3 rover also has registered seismic activities (natural vibrations) in the lunar surface. As the rover has been put to sleep along with the lander during the moon’s night time, hopes are kept alive for the rover to wake up exactly after the 14 day interval, during the lunar day when its batteries can get charged from the solar power. A single lunar daytime typically lasts 14 earth days and a night in the moon extends to 14 earth days as well. Vikram also took a leap and soft landed again near the south pole, the darker side of the moon which is a remarkable feat for ISRO.
This page shall be updated when Pragyan and Lander wake up after their siesta and set on to discover water ice, essential for human colony at a future date in the moon.
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