Nishant Bhaij
The redevelopment work at the exhibition-cum-convention centre at Pragati Maidan will be completed by January 15, well before the G20 Summit to be held here in September next year.
India’s digital payments power was on full display in Udaipur where G20 delegates purchased local crafts and fabrics using UPI (United Payments Interface).
G20 Sherpas hailed India as “the pioneer of digital technology,” and praised the digital transformation, especially in the area of digital payments. Quite a few delegates bought Rajasthani handcraft items at the Shilpgram crafts village in Udaipur and had the first-hand experience of UPI, India’s homegrown digital payments system.
In an interview with ANI, Saudi Arabia’s delegate Rasha Khalid Bin Aftan said that all countries need to learn from India and its high technology. “I just purchased an item by using Google Pay. I am not even surprised. I know India is the pioneer of digital technology… We also had a session regarding digital technology… India is one of the best countries and all countries need to learn from India and its high technology,” he said.
Digital transformation is among the key issues that are being discussed by the member countries during India’s G20 presidency. An elaborate tour of the renowned crafts village, Shilpgram, was conducted for the G20 Sherpas and the delegations. Guests were awestruck by its architecture and the diversity of Rajasthani arts and crafts that were showcased.
The delegates also had a full-day excursion to Kumbalgarh Fort and Ranakpur Temple complex.