Delegates for third G20 tourism meet arrive in Kashmir under a heavy security blanket
The Hindu
Foreign and local delegates attending the third G20 tourism working group meeting arrived in J&K’s summer capital Srinagar on Monday under a heavy blanket of security.
Foreign and local delegates attending the third G20 tourism working group meeting arrived in J&K’s summer capital Srinagar on Monday under a heavy blanket of security.
The delegates were received by Union Tourism Minister G. Kishan Reddy and G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant at the Srinagar Airport. Dogri and Kashmiri culture was put on display during the reception at the airport.
According to government officials, the Srinagar meeting has the highest participation registered compared to the first two tourism working group meetings at Rann of Kutch, Gujarat, and Siliguri, West Bengal.
The biggest group of five delegates is tipped to be from Singapore. “Just landed in beautiful Srinagar for the G20 Kashmir 3rd Working Group Meeting on Tourism. Looking forward to discovering the wonderful sustainable tourism destinations and experiences in J&K!” Singapore High Commissioner Simon Wong said, in a tweet.
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China, Turkey and Saudi Arabia had decided against sending their delegates for the meeting after Pakistan raised an objection to holding the G20 meeting in J&K.
The delegates were taken in a cavalcade to the hotels and the venue on the Dal lake. The road leading to the main venue, Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC), has been restricted for vehicular traffic. The decked-up venue will display Kashmiri art and music on the first day, with a replica of the Martand Temple, the famous sun temple from the 8th Century located in south Kashmir, and a shikara (boat) in the backdrop.
Almaya Munnettam (Lay People to the Fore), group in the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese of the Syro-Malabar Church opposed to the synod-recommended Mass, rejected a circular issued by Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil and apostolic administrator Bosco Puthur on June 9 to implement the unified Mass in the archdiocese from July 3.
Pakistan coach Gary Kirsten stated that “not so great decision making” contributed to his side’s defeat to India in the Group-A T20 World Cup clash here on Sunday. The batting unit came apart in the chase, after being well placed at 72 for two. With 48 runs needed from eight overs, Pakistan found a way to panic and lose. “Maybe not so great decision making,” Kirsten said at the post-match press conference, when asked to explain the loss.