G20 Summit: Bharat nameplate at PM Modi’s table draws attention

New Delhi: While the magnificent & state-of-the art Bharat Mandapam hosts global leaders for two-day G20 Summit, the nameplate of Prime Minister Narendra Modi described as ‘Bharat’ grabbed many eyeballs today.

The day started with Prime Minister welcoming the global leaders including Joe Biden, Rishi Sunak & more and then opening the session with welcome speech.

Apart from magnificent interiors, the country tag at PM Modi’s table drew everyone’s attention and added fresh twist to the ongoing India-Bharat row.

The issue became a talking point on social media with many assuming it to confirmation of what is likely to come in upcoming Special session of Parliament.

Notably, the word Bharat has also been used in the G20 booklets, meant for distribution to foreign delegates. The G 20 booklets with ‘Bharat, the Mother of Democracy’ as the tagline will ‘enlighten’ the guests about new name i.e. Bharat as the country has been known globally with ‘India’ name till now.

Notably, the first such revelation about government’s ‘intention to change’ the name of country from ‘India to Bharat’ became know after President of India sent the G20 dinner invite to delegates in name of Bharat than India.

The title of invitation read ‘President of Bharat’ and not ‘President of India’ as has been the custom.

This created a political uproar with Congress led Opposition launching a scathing attack on the Centre, accusing it of ‘destroying nation’s history & playing with its character’ while Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) hitting back with dynasty barbs.

There are wide speculations that govt will bring a legislation in the special session to formally effect a name change. The government hasn’t specified about the agenda of Parliament session and hence this theory is gaining more ground.

BJP, defending the proposed name change, calls it a move in the right direction and a step towards freedom from colonial mindset while Cong dubs it Centre’s nervousness after formation of I.N.D.I.A. alliance in the run-up to 2014 Lok Sabha polls.