President Draupadi Murmu Archives - Lokmarg

Murmu Meets Saudi Arabia Crown Prince In Delhi

By LokMarg 11th September 2023

President Droupadi Murmu and Saudi Arabia Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud on Monday met at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, NSA Ajit Doval, Union Ministers and other delegates from Saudi Arabia were also present at the gathering which was addressed by President Murmu and the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud.

President Murmu said: “I have faith that your (Crown Prince and PM of Saudi Arabia, Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud) meeting with PM Modi on strategic partnership and your participation in G20 summit have strengthened the ties between two countries further…”

The President further said: “While discussing with you (Saudi Crown Prince) today, I am happy to note that over the years our bilateral partnership has expanded significantly in all areas ranging from politics, defence, security, trade and investment, energy, culture and people-to-people ties.”

“Saudi Arabia has accepted a large number of immigrants from India and given them an opportunity to flourish,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Saudi Crown Prince extended his gratitude to India for the warm welcome and hospitality during his visit to India. “We the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia value the historical relationship between the two countries, and we look forward to deepening cooperation in all areas,” he said.

The Saudi Crown Prince on Saturday arrived in Delhi on a three-day visit and stayed back after the G20 Summit for his state visit. The Saudi Arabia Crown Prince and PM Modi on Monday held a bilateral meeting in New Delhi.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and others were present in the meeting.

Prior to his meeting with PM Modi, the Saudi Arabian Crown Prince received a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan PM Modi and President Droupadi Murmu welcomed the Saudi Arabian Crown Prince at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The Saudi Crown Prince then inspected a combined defence services Guard of Honour. In a brief statement, Mohammed bin Salman congratulated India for a successful G20 presidency.

Speaking to reporters, he said, “Well done India, a lot of announcements made that will benefit both our countries, the G20 countries and the whole world. So I want to say to India well done, and we will work to create a future for both countries.”

Meanwhile, India and Saudi Arabia have signed as many as eight agreements during the Saudi Crown Prince’s India visit, said Ministry of External Affairs on Monday.

Addressing a press briefing on the State visit of the Saudi Crown Prince, Secretary (CPV and OIA) Ausaf Sayeed said, “I am happy to share with you that during this visit as many as eight agreements have been signed.”

The agreements signed are in the field of energy, in the field of digitalization and electronic manufacturing, and cooperation between India’s Central Vigilance Commission and Saudi Anti-corruption. There was an agreement between the two investment entities, India and Saudi counterparts Exim banks, Small and Medium Enterprises Banks and an agreement on desalination. An agreement was also signed on renewable energy.

“One is the field of energy which was signed by the Saudi Minister of Energy and our Minister of New and Renewable Energy,” said Sayeed.

“Then there was an agreement between the agreement in the field of digitalisation and electronic manufacturing between the IT ministries of both sides,” he said.

Another agreement was between Central Vigilance Commission of India and its counterpart the Saudi Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority.

“And the fourth agreement was between the National Archives. Then there was an agreement between the two investment entities, that is Invest India on the Indian side and the Ministry of Investment on Saudi side,” said Sayeed.

“There was another agreement between the two EXIM banks and there was also another agreement between the Small and Medium Enterprises Bank banks of two sides, that is SIDBI and the SME Bank of Saudi Arabia,” the Secretary said, adding, “And the last one was in the field of Desalination.”

Over two dozen Memoranda of Understanding were signed between India and Saudi Arabia companies, ranging from Information Technology, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, and human resources, among other sectors. (ANI)

From Ravanahatha To Rudraveena, Instruments To Be Played At G20 Dinner

By LokMarg 9th September 2023

The special dinner hosted by President Draupadi Murmu for G20 leaders on Saturday evening will witness a musical performance showcasing ancient classical instruments such ‘Ravanahatha’ and ‘Rudra Veena’ among others.

The ceremonial dinner to be held tonight at the Bharat Mandapam venue of the G20 Leaders Summit in the national capital will celebrate the country’s rich musical heritage – a mix of different styles of classical and contemporary music.

The performance ‘Bharat Vadya Darshanam’ — Musical Journey of India — by the ‘Gaandharva Aaradhyam’ group will be showcased during the dinner hosted by President Murmu.

The 18th G20 Leaders Summit has brought together leaders from the world’s 20 major economies

“The three-hour-long performance at the G20 special dinner during the special dinner will see ancient musical instruments like “Ravanahatha” to “Rudra Veena,” as well as the tabla and piano being played,” Minister of State Meenakashi Lekhi told ANI.

“We have the legacy of Hindustani and Carnatic music Specially abled artists will also perform at the dinner hosted by President Murmu. This would be a very proud moment for all of us,” Lekhi said.

Earlier today Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally welcomed global leaders and heads of State at the venue with handshakes and hugs.

Prime Minister Modi expressed confidence that the gathering of world leaders will chart a new path in human-centric and inclusive development

The theme of this year’s G20 Summit, which is taking place under India’s presidency, “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” or “One Earth, One Family, One Future” – is drawn from the ancient Sanskrit text of the Maha Upanishad. Essentially, the theme affirms the value of all life—human, animal, plant, and microorganism—and their interconnectedness on the planet Earth and in the wider universe.

This is the first time that the G20 Summit is being hosted by India.

The countries taking part in the G20 Summit include Nigeria, Argentina, Italy, the AU (represented by Comoros), and South Africa. Bangladesh, the United Kingdom, and Japan Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Egypt, Australia, the United States, Canada, China, UAE, Brazil, Indonesia, and Turkey Spain, Germany, France, Mauritius, the European Union, and Singapore. (ANI)

Indore All Set For Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

By LokMarg 7th January 2023

The preparations have been completed for Pravasi Bharatiya Divas which is going to be held from January 8 to 10 in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore.

The city is ready to welcome the guests who have arrived to attend the event.
Indore Municipal Corporation Commissioner Pratibha Pal said that on the first day (January 8), Youth Migrant Day would be organized. This day has been dedicated to Madhya Pradesh, in which there would be a session on textiles, food processing, etc. A total of six sessions will be held on the first day.

“The main program will be held on the second day (January 9), in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate, along with the President of Suriname Chandrikaprasad Santokhi, Guyana President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, and diplomats from several countries. A special song has also been composed for Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, it will be released as well as an exhibition containing photographs and information of overseas Indians who contributed to the country’s independence will also be inaugurated by PM Modi,” Pal said.

“The closing of the event will be done under the chairmanship of Indian President Draupadi Murmu. The whole city has been decorated for the event. A Kite festival will also be organized on the occasion. Besides, arrangements have also been made for those guests who wish to visit nearby philosophical and religious places,” she added.

Indore Collector Ilaiah Raja T said, “Vehicle arrangements will be made from the airport for the guests. Arrangements have been made to accommodate the guests in 37 hotels in the city. Apart from this, the local people have also made arrangements for the guests to stay in their homes.”

“Selected NRIs will be honored in the event. A global garden has been set up for the guests, where NRIs will plant a tree and the municipal corporation will take care of it for 3 years. QR codes will also be installed in the trees. After the event, the guests will visit the city’s famous 56 Dukan (Food Street) and Sarafa Food Street,” the Collector added.

Indore Commissioner of Police Harinarayan Chari Mishra said, “Over 3200 guests are arriving from over 75 countries in the city. Diplomats from 29 countries are arriving here. Three Deputy Inspector General (DIG), 15 Superintendents of Police, and about 9,000 police personnel will be deployed for their security during the event.”

“Modern technology and drones will be used for security purposes. More than 50 Z-plus category guests will be there at the event. Help desks are being set up at philosophical places for NRIs and delegates from other countries. People having knowledge of different languages are being appointed on this desk to assist the guests,” Mishra added. (ANI)