‘Ready to host any kind of event’: G20 Special Secy ahead of Leaders’ Summit in Delhi

New Delhi [India], September 9 (ANI): As Delhi gears up for the two-day leaders’ summit, G20 Special Secretary, Muktesh Pardeshi, on Friday said that one of the advantages of the gala event would be that it will allow India to show that it is “ready to host any kind of event”. 

“There is a support staff that is reviewing the security and other arrangements. Craftspeople are there who are participating. Managing all of this is a huge organisational scheme. We have been working on it for months. One of the advantages of the G-20 summit would be that we can tell the world that we are ready to organise any kind of event,” Muktesh Pardeshi told ANI while speaking on the arrangements of the event. 

Further, speaking on the arrangement for delegates in Bharat Mandapam, the special secretary said that the team is prepared to manage 10,000 people in the summit. 

“And they are divided into many groups. One is for VVIPs, heads of delegations, leaders, and ministers. After that accompanying delegation, country delegation. Other than that, we are expecting 2500-3000 media (personnel). Then there are Indian government employees,” he said. 

“In a few hours, the G-20 summit will begin. Today was the day of arrival of state heads. A lot of presidents, prime ministers and ministers have arrived. And many will come throughout tonight. Tomorrow is a long and important day. Tomorrow’s day will begin with a ceremonial welcome of the leaders. After that, the inaugural session will continue till lunch. The prime minister will host a working lunch,” Pardeshi told ANI highlighting the G-20 schedule on September 9. 

He added that a cultural program and instrumental musical program will be organised for the delegates on Saturday. 

“After lunch, there would be some free time when bilateral meetings may take place. The second session will continue till late evening. Bilateral meetings may take place again in some free time. Later, the President will host the state dinner at around 8 pm. A cultural program and instrumental musical program would be there during dinner. It would display India’s diverse musical journey. Many rare instruments would be used in it. An ensemble will present classical and folk music. Young musicians and divyang artists will participate in it,” Pardeshi said. 

The Special Secretary said that the protocol department has studied guests’ food preferences to cater to their needs adding that it is an essential component of hospitality values.

“Taking care of the guests’ food preferences is an essential component of our hospitality values. When we speak of ‘Atithi Devo Bhavah’, it means that the needs of the guest are studied. We have done that study, and our protocol department has been working on it for a long,” Pardeshi said while speaking on personalised food arrangements for world leaders.

He further said that it is important what message is given through hospitality in a subtle manner. 

“It is a soft power. Indian food has diversity. Not just 3 to 4, hundreds of Indian dishes are famous around the world. Every culinary style has sophistication and a high level of cooking standards. We wanted to reflect in some or the other shape. It is our goal to exhibit diversity. In the international year of millets, we are also concentrating on that. Thirdly, we want to connect them with the street food. Tourists and visiting delegates get to taste street food. We have incorporated millets with street foods,” he said. 

The 18th G20 Summit is set to begin at the state-of-the-art Bharat Mandapam Convention Centre in New Delhi on September 9.