New Delhi – In the midst of the ongoing controversy surrounding the renaming of India to Bharat in official invitations, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is set to attend the President’s G20 dinner. The invitations to the event have sparked political debate as they referred to President Droupadi Murmu as the ‘President of Bharat,’ deviating from the customary ‘President of India’ terminology. This move has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties, alleging an attempt to change the country’s name.
In a notable turn of events, the government has also extended invitations to former Prime Ministers Manmohan Singh and HD Deve Gowda. Deve Gowda, the stalwart of the JD(S), has cited health concerns and declined the invitation. There has been no official word from Congress leader Manmohan Singh, who has been dealing with health issues.
The participation of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar adds further intrigue to the event. Kumar is scheduled to depart for Delhi on Saturday morning, setting the stage for a potential encounter with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. If they meet, it will be their first interaction since July 2022.
The presence of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at the dinner has also been confirmed. This announcement followed her criticism of the government’s sudden preference for the term ‘Bharat’ over ‘India’ in official communications. Her decision to attend the G20 dinner has garnered appreciation from the ruling BJP.
The forthcoming G20 Summit, slated for September 9-10 in Delhi, will assemble prominent leaders from across the globe, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the European Union. The summit will unfold at the newly inaugurated Bharat Mandapam in Pragati Maidan, meticulously adorned to welcome international delegates.
The President’s G20 dinner, scheduled for Saturday, will be hosted in a state-of-the-art $300-million venue designed in the shape of a conch shell. The menu is expected to showcase Indian cuisine with a special focus on millets, an indigenous grain.
Adding to the grandeur of the event, a three-hour concert, titled ‘Bharat Vadya Darshanam: Musical Journey of India,’ will enchant world leaders with a diverse repertoire of classical and contemporary music. The ‘Gaandharva Aatodyam’ group will showcase traditional Indian musical instruments, including the santoor, saranagi, jal tarang, and shehnai.