November 8, 2022.
My dear countrymen, and the family members of the global community,
After a few days, from December 1 onwards, India will be holding the G-20 Presidency. This is a historic occasion for India. Today, in this context, the website, theme and logo of this summit have been launched. I congratulate all the countrymen on this occasion.
The G-20 is a group of countries whose economic potential represents 85 percent of the world’s GDP. The G-20 is a group of those 20 countries that represent 75 per cent of the world’s trade. The G-20 is a group of those 20 countries that comprise two-third of the world’s population. And India is now going to lead and chair this G-20 group. You can imagine what a big opportunity has come before the country in the ‘Amrit kal’ of independence. It is a matter of pride for every Indian; it is a matter of increasing ones pride. And I am happy that the G-20 summit, the curiosity and activism about the events related to it in India is constantly increasing.
The countrymen have also played a big role in the creation of this logo that has been launched today. We had asked the countrymen for their valuable suggestions for the logo, And I am very happy to know that thousands of people sent their creative ideas to the government. Today, those ideas, those suggestions are becoming the face of such a big global event. I extend my heartfelt thanks to all for this effort.
This logo of the G-20 is not just a symbol. It’s a message. It’s a feeling that is in our veins. This is a resolution that has been included in our thinking. The spirit of universal brotherhood that we have been living through the mantra of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ is being reflected in this logo and the theme. In this logo, the lotus flower is depicting India’s mythological heritage, our faith, our intellectualism, all these together. The contemplation of Advaita here has been the philosophy of the unity of the living being. Through this logo and theme, we have given the message that this philosophy should become a medium to solve today’s global conflicts and dilemmas. Through the G-20, India is giving new energy to the global reputation of Buddha’s message for freedom from war and Mahatma Gandhi’s solution in resistance to violence.
India’s G20 presidency is coming at a time of crisis and chaos in the world. The world is going through the after-effects of a disruptive once-in- a-century pandemic, conflicts and lot of economic uncertainty. The symbol of the lotus in the G20 logo is a representation of hope in these times. No matter how adverse the circumstances, the lotus still blooms. Even if the world is in a deep crisis, we can still progress and make the world a better place. In Indian culture, both the Goddess of knowledge and prosperity are seated on a lotus. This is what the world needs most today. Shared knowledge that helps us overcome our circumstances, and shared prosperity that reaches the last person at the last mile.
This is why, in the G20 logo, the earth is placed on a lotus too. The seven petals of the lotus in the logo are also significant. They represent the seven continents. Seven is also the number of notes in the universal language of music. In music, when the seven notes come together, they create perfect harmony. But each note has its own uniqueness. Similarly, G20 aims to bring the world together in harmony while respecting diversity.
It is true that whenever there is a conference of big platforms like G-20 in the world, it has its own diplomatic and geo-political implications. It’s also natural. But for India, this summit is not just a diplomatic meeting. India sees this as a new responsibility for itself. India sees this as the world’s faith in itself. Today, there is an unprecedented curiosity in the world to know India, to understand India. Today, India is being studied in a new light. Our current successes are being assessed. Unprecedented hopes are being expressed about our future. In such a situation, it is the responsibility of us countrymen to do much better than these hopes and expectations.
It is our responsibility to introduce the world to India’s thinking and strength, to India’s culture and social power. It is our responsibility to enhance the knowledge of the world with the intellectualism of our thousands of years old culture and the modernity contained in it. The way we have lived the idea of ‘Jai-Jagat’ for centuries and millennia, today we have to bring it alive and present it to the modern world. We have to connect everyone. Everyone has to be made aware of global duties. They have to wake up to their own participation in the future of the world.
Today, as India is going to chair the G-20 Presidency, this event is a reflection of the strength of 130 crore Indians for us. Today India has reached this point. But, behind this is our very long journey of thousands of years, infinite experiences. We have seen thousands of years of opulence and splendour. We have also seen the darkest period in the world. We have seen days where we have been forced to live centuries of slavery and darkness. Faced with so many invaders and atrocities, India has reached here today with a vibrant history. Today, those experiences are India’s biggest strength in its development journey. After independence, we started a long journey starting from zero, targeting the peak. This includes the efforts of all the governments that have been in power for last 75 years after independence. All the governments and the citizens together tried to take India forward in their own way. We have to move forward with this spirit today with a new energy.
India’s thousands of years old culture has taught us one more thing. When we strive for our progress, we also envision global progress. Today India is such a rich and living democracy of the world. We also have the values of democracy, and a proud tradition in the form of mother of democracy. India has as much diversity as it has uniqueness. This democracy, this diversity, this indigenous approach, this inclusive thinking, this local lifestyle, and these global thoughts, today the world is looking at solutions to all its challenges in these ideas. And, the G-20 can come in handy as a big opportunity for this. We can show the world that the scope of conflicts ends when democracy becomes a system as well a ritual and culture. We can assure every human in the world that both progress and nature can go hand in hand. We have to make sustainable development a part of individual LiFE instead of mere government systems and expand it further. Environment must become a global cause as well as a personal responsibility for us.
Today, the world is looking for health instead of cure. With our Ayurveda, our Yoga, about which there is a new belief and enthusiasm in the world, we can create a global system for its expansion. Next year the World is going to celebrate the International Year of Millets, but we have given many coarse grains a place in the kitchen of our houses for centuries.
India’s achievements in many areas are such that they can also be useful to other countries of the world. For example, the way India has used digital technologies for development, for inclusion, to eradicate corruption, to increase ease of doing business, ease of doing governance and ease of living, all these are models and templates for developing countries. Similarly, today India is progressing in women empowerment and women-led development. Our schemes like Jan Dhan accounts and Mudra have ensured financial inclusion of women. Our experience in various such fields can be of great help to the world. And India’s G-20 Presidency is coming as an important medium to take all these successful campaigns to the world.
Today’s world is looking at collective leadership with great hope. Whether it is G-7, G-77 or UNGA. In this environment, India’s role as G-20 president is very important. India, on the one hand, maintains close relations with developed countries, and at the same time understands and articulates well, the point of view of developing countries. On this basis, we will outline our G-20 Presidency with all the friends of the ‘Global South’ who have been India’s co-passengers for decades on the path of development. Our effort will be that there should not be any first world or third world in the world, but only one world.
India is working on a vision to bring the whole world together for a common objective, for a better future. India has called for renewable energy revolution in the world with the mantra of One Sun, One World, One Grid. India has launched a campaign to strengthen global health with the mantra of One Earth, One Health. And now our mantra in G-20 is – One Earth, One Family, One Future. These ideas of India, these values, pave the way for world welfare.
Today I have a request to all the state governments of the country and all the political parties as well. This event is not only central government event. This event is organized by us Indians. G-20 is also a great opportunity for us to see our tradition of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’. Events related to G-20 will not be limited to Delhi or a few places only. Each of our states has its own characteristics, its own heritage. Every state has its own culture, its own beauty, its own aura and its own hospitality.
“G20 Presidency is not merely a diplomatic meeting for India, it is a new responsibility and a measure of the world’s trust in India.”
Rajasthan’s hospitality invitation is – Padharo Mhare Des! Gujarat’s loving welcome – Tamaru Swagat Che! This love is seen in Malayalam in Kerala – Ellavarkum Swagatam! ‘Heart of Incredible India’ Madhya Pradesh says – Aap ka Swagat hai! Welcome in Meethi Bangla in West Bengal – Apnake Swagat Jaanai! Tamil Nadu, Kadegal Mudi-Vadilaye, says – Thangal Varava Nal- Var-Vahuhaa.
UP’s request is – if you have not seen UP, you have not seen India. Himachal Pradesh a Destination for All Seasons and All Reasons calls us i.e. ‘For every season, for every reason’. Uttarakhand is simply heaven. This hospitality, this diversity amazes the world. Through G-20, we have to convey this love to the entire world.
I am visiting Indonesia next week. There will be a formal announcement to handover the G-20 Presidency to India. I urge all the states of the country, all the state governments, to expand the role of their state in this as much as possible, take advantage of this opportunity for their state. All the citizens, intellectuals of the country must also come forward to be a part of this event.
“G-20 will not be limited to Delhi or a few places. Every citizen, state government and political party should participate in it.”
On the just launched website, all of you can send your suggestions for this, reveal your views. Your suggestions and partnerships on how India enhances its role for the welfare of the world will give a new height to the success of an event like G-20. I am confident that this event will not only be memorable for India but will also assess it as an important opportunity in the history of the future world. With this wish, once again heartiest congratulations to all of you.
Thanks a lot.
