G20 delegates get a view from pavilion

Delegates from several countries, who are in the city for the G20 Digital Economy Working Group Conference, got a glimpse of the 800-year-old Warkari community’s palkhi of Sant Tukaram Maharaj first-hand from a special pavilion of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC).

The delegates were joined by Guardian Minister Chandrakantada Patil, Commissioner of Police Retesh Kumar, PMC Commissioner Vikram Kumar, Collector Rajesh Deshmukh, Joint Commissioner of Police Sandeep Karnik, and Municipal Additional Commissioner Vikas Dhakne at the pavillion located at the entrance of Fergusson College near Sant Tukaram Maharaj Paduka Mandir.

“The ceremony commenced with the welcome of delegates by adorning tulsimala (a string of basil beads), warkari uparane (traditional attire), and caps at the hands of Minister Patil.. Some of the representatives even received a tika on their foreheads from the Warkaris,” said a statement issued by Pune District Information Office. Several delegates engaged with the Warkaris, participated in the fugadi dance and clicked pictures with tulsi plants on their heads, said the statement. The three-day G20 meet is being attended by representatives of over 15 countries and international experts working in areas of digital governance.