Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): A breeze of spring seems to have suddenly blown away the dry old leaves lying on the thoroughfares in Bhopal. The gust, called the Global Investors’ Summit (GIS), seems to have woken up the city to some sudden changes: roads are spruced up; the moss-stained walls wear a brighter look; the dirty Lower Lake has been cleaned up; and dead fountains are back to life.
Government officers – whether they are in the municipal corporation or in other departments – are working round the clock to doll up the state capital. What is more, the heavy-eyed airport is abuzz with activities, and set to welcome thousands of delegates from across the world. Smart policemen are seen everywhere.
Even the vehicles, particularly the buses to ferry the delegates, look out of the ordinary. Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself will be present at the event. So, the administration has to keep everything spick and span.
This change reminds the residents of Irving Washington’s Rip Van Winkle, who, after consuming alcohol, sleeps for 20 years, and when he wakes up, he finds everything transformed. The potion of GIS seems to have transformed the old sleepy city into a young active boy.
Changing trends
After the week-long Bhopal Literature Festival, the city hosted a drama festival in which foreign language plays were staged. It rarely happens in this city. This is the reason why many students are keen to learn foreign languages, like German, French, and Spanish.
It is a new phenomenon. Because music festivals are synonymous with the city’s cultural life, they are barely counted as part of that change. The state capital being a city of Nawabs has always been a good emcee. But entertaining such a large number of guests and that too from different parts of the world – perhaps for the first time – is going to be a challenge for the city and its residents. But it is all one to them.
Ergo, they are ready to deploy their hearts to greet the guests with the best food and lodging. As far as fare is concerned, the guests will get the best nosh on their plates – though all vegetarian. Yet, the food will not fall short of expectations, because the city cooks food, and dishes out love.
So, the guests will enjoy the tang of love in every bite. Indira Gandhi National Museum of Mankind campus, where the summit is going to be held, has all the traits of anchoring such a global event, because of its verdant panorama.
A luxury tent city, which the residents have so far been unknown to, is coming up at Kaliasot Adventure Zone where the guests can spend time with nature besides there are hotels for their lodging. Such summits are generally organised to strengthen the economy, and generate jobs.
These are the external benefits. But the GIS in Bhopal is set to bring about some internal changes among its residents. The hibernation of winter is over. It is the renewal of bloom. The external changes are apparent. The internal changes generally come about with the passage of time. So, the summit is that silent revolution the city is ready to embrace.
