The G20 Summit 2023 was a big event in Delhi, India’s capital. The city got a makeover worth £100 million to look its best. But not everyone was happy. The government built tall green walls around poor areas like the Coolie camp in South Delhi. These walls hid the poor homes from the important people coming to the summit. The poor areas were very close to the fancy meeting place for the summit. This wasn’t just for looks; it significantly transformed the lives of impoverished people.
According to a CNN article, authorities demolished one of the slums located opposite the Pragati Maidan complex, a prominent convention center in Delhi that hosted the G20 Summit. This suggests that the distance between the slum areas and the summit location was quite close, possibly within walking distance.
The Group of Twenty (G20) is a collection of twenty of the world’s largest economies, including nineteen countries and the European Union. Formed in 1999, the G20 aims to discuss international economic and financial stability. Its annual summit has evolved into a major forum for discussing not only economics but also other global issues. The G20 nations account for around 80% of global economic output, nearly 75% of global exports, and about 60% of the world’s population.
The government often takes drastic measures to hide poverty, especially during high-profile events like the G20 Summit. In the lead-up to the 2023 G20 meeting in Delhi, authorities evicted tens of thousands of marginalized residents from their homes. Bulldozers and government officials arrived unannounced, tearing down shanties and leaving people homeless. The government justified these actions by labelling these structures as “illegal.”
However, social activists argue that the timing of these demolitions is suspicious. They believe it’s part of a “beautification” project to impress foreign dignitaries. The government wants to project an image of India as a modern superpower, a leader for impoverished nations. But in doing so, they’re accused of hiding one of the country’s most significant issues: extreme poverty.
So, why does the government do this? It’s simple. They don’t want the world to see the country’s poverty. They want to show a polished version of India, one that aligns with their narrative of being a rising global power.
During the G20 Summit, organizers concealed many Indians from sight using green curtains. They instructed them to remain indoors and avoid coming out. This move by the government has sparked a lot of talk among the people affected.
The video by Brut India, a digital video publisher, highlights the voices of these hidden communities. People are upset and feel disrespected. They wonder why they are being hidden like something shameful. They believe the government only shows interest in them during election time but neglects them when foreign leaders visit.
The green curtains are not just physical barriers; they symbolize the government’s attempt to hide the “ugly” parts of India. But the people behind these curtains are speaking out. They demand that their views be heard and treated with respect and dignity.
The government has tried to help people living in slums by giving them flats. But guess what? Many people still need to move into these new homes. Instead, they rented out the flats for extra money.
This raises a big question: Is the government the only one to blame for hiding poverty? The answer is no. Some people are also responsible for their situation. They declined the opportunity to live in a better place.
So, it’s not just the government’s fault. People need to take responsibility too. They should move into the flats provided and improve their lives.
The G20 Summit 2023 was a big deal for India. It took place in New Delhi on September 9 and 10. The summit focused on six main things:
This was a chance for India to show that it’s a major player on the world stage.
Leaders from many countries came to the summit. They talked about big issues like food security, health, and education. This was important for India because it’s a growing power worldwide. The summit also talked about problems that are important for countries like India.
However, not everyone came to the summit. Leaders from China and Russia didn’t attend. This could make the G20 less important in the future.
So, the G20 Summit was a big step for India. It helped the country compete with other big nations. It was also a chance for India to help make rules that will affect the world.
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