Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets the world leaders on Saturday morning at 'Bharat Mandapam', the venue of the G20 summit here. A replica of Konark Wheel from the Sun temple in Odisha's Puri served as the backdrop of the G20 venue. The Sun Temple of Konark is famous throughout the world for its stone sculptures.
New Delhi: On Saturday morning, today, the 2-day G20 summit has started in the country’s capital Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted all the G20 leaders and representatives at the Bharat Mandapam at Pragati Maidan. The backdrop of the venue shows Odisha’s Konark Wheel where G20 leaders were welcomed with handshake as soon as they reached the summit. This is a very special chakra, whose name is ‘Konark Wheel’. Konark Wheel in Odisha was built during the 13th century during the reign of King Narasimhadev-I from stone in the form of a giant ornamented chariot dedicated to the Sun god, Surya.
Know its significance
Konark wheel is the same Chakra, which is seen in India’s Tricolor. The Konark wheel with 24 spokes was adapted into the national flag of India, it serves as a powerful symbol of the wheel of democracy reflecting the flexibility of democratic ideals and commitment to progress in society. Time does not always remain the same, it keeps changing. Konark Chakra’s rotating motion symbolises time, ‘Kaalchakra’, as well as progress. The size and architecture of the 24 wheels is same but each one of them has been differently carved all over.
‘Konark Wheel’, a powerful symbol of India’s democracy
Konark Wheel is a powerful symbol of India’s democracy that reflects the resilience of democratic ideals and commitment to progress in society. India has been nurturing democratic values since the beginning. Apart from Konark Chakra, the idol of Nataraja is also the center of attraction in Bharat Mandapam. Apart from this, Indian culture and art have also been included in Bharat Mandapam.
World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, IMF (International Monetary Fund) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and World Bank President Ajay Banga were among the first few leaders to reach the eBharat Mandapam venue. India is hosting the G20 summit under its chairmanship today and tomorrow amid differences within the group over the Russia-Ukraine war.
Those who unaware, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin will not be taking part in the weekend summit. China, however, will be represented at the summit by Chinese Premier Li Qiang, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will represent Russia.
