State banquets get stately with monuments as official venues

Recently, the MEA hosted a lavish dinner for delegates of the IBSA (a tripartite collaboration between India, Brazil, South Africa) on the grounds of Purana Qila.

Believed to be located on the site of the ancient city of Indraprastha, Purana Qila was built by Sher Shah Suri, and its rolling lawns and rising pavilions were lit up to create the perfect backdrop for the evening. Apart from the banquet, the Ministry of Tourism and Culture also organised a 30-minute cultural tableau of India’s traditional dance forms under the starlit sky.

Says Tourism Minister Jagmohan: ‘‘We have done a lot of good work in restoring and beautifying our monuments and I felt that the best way to showcase this would be to hold banquets for our visiting foreign dignitaries here, who would get a first-hand view of their beauty. It is a joint initiative between the two ministries and it has been undertaken to promote and boost tourism. It is an excellent way to exhibit the country’s cultural heritage at the highest level, and it has been a grand success. Other venues include the Red Fort and Humayun’s Tomb. We are planning several such occasions.’’

The highlight on the calendar is the architecture awards ceremony of the Aga Khan Foundation, which will be held at Agra Fort in November this year. The Tourism Ministry has given permission to hold the three-day extravaganza—a prestigious, global event—in the magnificient red sandstone fort built by Emperor Akbar. Around 300 delegates, including top architects, conservationists, stylists, culture ministers and ambassadors from all over the world, will be present.

Says a proud Jagmohan: ‘‘This award ceremony, which carries a $500,000 prize, is coming to India for the first time, and the surrounding publicity will certainly catapult India’s status and prestige as a conservationist and tourist destination all over the world.’’

So far, the Ministry has held World Tourism Day at Red Fort, with its turrets and bastions, for delegates from all over the country. It is also planning a gala dinner for all the ambassadors in the Capital at the spectacular gardens of Humayun’s Tomb. The agenda: to raise awareness about India’s culture and tourism potential.

However, the Hyderabad House, the traditional venue for such state banquets, is not about to lose its pre-eminence. An official of the MEA who did not want to be named said they would continue to hold most of their banquets in the former residence of the Nizam of Hyderabad ‘‘as weather may not permit us to do it very often in these monuments, but there will be those rare ocassions. However, I must admit, the last one was a grand success’’.

MEA sources are delighted and thankful the Government is finally getting over its crusty, stiff image and is open to innovative ideas of culture and entertainment.

‘‘World over governments have used their monuments, museums and important archaeological sites for cultural events and entertainment as it showcases the country so effectively. Finally, the Indian Government has woken up to this fact,’’ says an MEA official.

However, the open-door policy is not likely to be extended yet to art galas or fashion shows. Says Jagmohan: ‘‘Earlier, nobody really asked for these venues for banquets. However, let me make it very clear, these monuments will be restricted to government functions only and not to pivate parties. It is not for commercial use and the purpose is only to promote the country’s image and prestige at the highest level.’’