External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday admitted that there is a delay in the issuing of foreign visas and said that at the ministerial level he had raised the matter with the Western countries including the US, UK, and Germany.
While addressing the Agenda Aaj Tak 2022 in New Delhi, Jaishankar said, "It is absolutely true and I have come to know that there is a lot of worry among the public, especially for those relatives whose family members are staying in a foreign land or for students who wanted to go to different countries for an emergency. And the visa issue is increasing in Western countries." "At the ministerial level, I raised this issue with the US, UK, and Germany, whose Foreign Minister recently visited India," he added.
Every week foreign countries are giving assurance that they are trying to improve it, Jaishankar said at the media conclave.
While talking about the G20 presidency, Jaidshankar said that India's G20 presidency is a matter of pride as the definition of this group is extraordinary. He further said that India is receiving the presidency at a time when the entire world is suffering from Covid, food security, and others challenges.
He also talked about the virtual meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and attended by Governors, Chief ministers, and LGs across India and urged them to make the G20 presidency a successful event.
"This is an opportunity for us to make the world ready for India, make India ready for the world," Jaishankar said at the conclave.
Meanwhile, in the virtual meeting, PM stated that India's G20 Presidency belongs to the entire nation, and is a unique opportunity to showcase the country's strengths.
Prime Minister emphasized the importance of teamwork and sought the cooperation of the States / UTs in the organization of various G20 events. He pointed out that the G20 Presidency would help showcase parts of India beyond the conventional big metros, thus bringing out the uniqueness of each part of our country.
India officially assumed the G20 presidency on December 1.
Diwali celebration tomorrow kicks off business with ticketed workshops and networking.
Model taps into growing demand for inclusive, heritage-focused experiences.
Platform targets not just south Asians seeking cultural connection, but everyone.
Creating cultural belonging
Priyanka Patel, curator of The Empowered Desi, a new events platform for south Asians seeking cultural connection, is here with a Diwali celebration on Saturday (18) at Fargo Village in Coventry. The venture was born from personal experience – Patel felt "isolated and neglected" growing up without many south Asian friends. Spotting a gap in the market, she's now building a business around creating inclusive spaces for south Asians regardless of religious or regional background.
Diwali-themed , Paint N Sip event in Coventry marks the venture's next partnership with local business Sugar and Spice, Patel is offering a ticketed experience featuring diya decorating workshops, Indian grazing boards with chai, and jewellery stations where guests can take home jhumkas and bangles. The Diwali format combines cultural celebration with networking opportunities, with south Asian attire preferred.
Empowerment through experience
I couldn't talk about the festivals we celebrate, the type of Indian food we have, and also the clothes we wear for special occasions," Patel told BBC."I felt that I couldn't express my individuality, which in turn affected my confidence and self-worth." She realised that lack of cultural belonging represented an untapped market.
The business model centres on experiential events that blend tradition with social connection. The first workshop held on September (20) focused on bento cake decorating, a trendy format paired with south Asian networking. Patel aims for attendees to "feel empowered and inspired."
With South Asian Heritage Month highlighting the importance of cultural spaces, The Empowered Desi positions itself at the intersection of community building and commercial viability. Patel's betting that others share her experience and are willing to pay for a sense of belonging.
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