By Vinati Bhargava Mittal
India’s cleanest city Indore is proudly hosting the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas (PBD) from January 8 to 10 which will see several national and international dignitaries visiting the city. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the NRI meet at the Brilliant Convention Centre on January 9, President Droupadi Murmu will address the Valedictory Session the next day. Guyana President Dr Mohamed Irfan Ali will be the Chief Guest, and Suriname President Chandrikapersad Santokhi will be the Special Guest of Honour at the event being held in the commercial capital of Madhya Pradesh which is also an educational, industrial and emerging IT hub.
Indore boasts of the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), both institutes of national eminence. Along with its satellite towns of Pithampur and Dewas, Indore houses several significant large and small-scale industries ranging from automobile, software, pharmaceutics, textiles, leather toys to soya and namkeen (salty snacks) units which manufacturethe popular sweet and sour khatta meetha mixture (i.e a mix of fried green peas, boondi, sev) and a variety of sevs, (ie.small pieces of crunchy noodles made from gram flour).
Also called Mini Mumbai because of a similar cosmopolitan culture, Indore is located on the Malwa Plateau at an altitude of 553 m above sea level. Its proximity to Mumbai and Gujarat makes it a city with great economic potential. In fact in the 16th Century, it was a trading hub between Deccan and Delhi. In 1732, Maratha ruler Peshwa Bajirao rewarded territories comprising the region of Indore to Malhar Rao Holkar, the founder of the powerful Holkar dynasty. Since then the Holkars, especially Queen Ahilya Bai, have played a pivotal role in its development. According to legend, Indore earlier known as Indrapuri or Indur, derives its name from the 18th century temple of Indreshwar Mahadev.
In order to familiarise the nearly 3,000 guests visiting the city with the heritage of the state, Madhya Pradesh tourism has organised day excursions in Indore, besides short and long trips, adventure trips and the Narmada Parikrama to showcase the diversity of the heart of India, its historical lineage, cultural and spiritual vibrancy. Ancient cities like Ujjain and Omkareshwar, beautifully carved temples like Khajurao, Buddhist stupas like Sanchi, sprawling palaces and forts like Gwalior and Maheshwar, Bhopal – the city of Nawabs, Bhimbetka rock shelters, national wild life sanctuaries such as Kanha and Pench, national fossil parks Ghughwa and Dhangaon – all located in different parts of the state offer a colourful panorama of Madhya Pradesh, which is also known as the tiger state of India. Last year, in a bid to reintroduce cheetahs into the country, African Cheetahs under Project Cheetah were translocated to the Kuno National Park in the state.
Closer home, the day excursions in and around Indore will give visitors a feel of the city and its surroundings as they are taken to see various monuments built during the Maratha and British era including the Rajbada, Lal Bagh Palace, Central Museum, Krishnapura Cenotaphs besides the famous Ganesha temple at Khajrana.
Rajbada, built by Malhar Rao Holkar in 1747 is a symbol of democracy and the centre of all activities of Indore — political, religious and social. This former royal residence was burnt down during the riots in 1984, but it has now been restored. Built in Maratha architecture which is known for its simplicity, Rajbada stands in sharp contrast to the grandeur of Lal Bagh Palace which reflects the westernised taste of three generations of the later Holkars. Commissioned in the 19th century by Tukoji Rao Holkar, it was completed by his grandson Tukojirao Holkar III, who resided here till his death in 1978. This Italian Renaissance Revival edifice, now a museum, was influenced by the Buckingham Palace, London and the Palace of Versailles, Paris. Traces of European inspired decoration are found on its walls and furniture. Even the cast iron entrance gate at Lal Bagh Palace was modelled on that of Buckingham Palace.
For six times in a row, Indore has been ranked first in cleanliness. It is India’s first seven-star garbage free city. Visits to the largest automated material recovery facility in the country, and Devaguradia — Asia’s biggest Bio-CNG Plant based on Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Waste (OFMSW) will enable guests to understand the city’s system of waste management.
The best way to learn about locals is through food. In fact, Indore is called the food capital of the state. A trip to Chappan Dukaan, which houses 56 kiosks,and the night street food market Sarafa, located near Rajbada where jewellery is sold in the day, will enable visitors to explore an assortment of Indori delicacies which offer a mixture of different flavours ranging from sweet to salty and spicy. Some of Indore’s popular dishes are poha, jalebi, sabudane ki kichadi, fried garadu (yam/sweet potato), matar ki kachori, rabdi malpua, Bhutte ka keese (grated corn cooked in milk), dal batti and dahi bhalla. A spicy omelette or a minced meat cutlet stuffed in a crusted bun at Johny Hot Dog, Chappan Dukaan, is recommended for non vegetarians.
Award winning artisans from different regions of the state will showcase their craft and products at specially constructed stalls at the Brilliant Convention Centre, the PBD venue. These include Gond and Jhabua bheel paintings, Bhopal jari jardozi, metal work from Betul, Maheshwari and Chanderi handlooms, Bagh prints among others. Lal Bagh Palace will be the venue of cultural performances.
The temple towns of Ujjain and Omkareshwar, Maheshwar — the former capital of the Holkars, the sprawling fortress of Mandu where a festival is being held, the country’s first infantry museum at Mhow (Dr Ambedkhar Nagar) are pther destinations close to the city.
The biennial convention, a flagship event of the Ministry of External Affairs, aims at strengthening the engagement of the overseas Indian Community with their motherland, besides reconnecting them with their roots. The theme for PBD 2023 is: “Diaspora: Reliable Partners for India’s Progress in the Amrit Kaal.” The convention is being physically organised after four years. The President will honour selected overseas Indians with the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards.
Guests from United Kingdom, United States of America, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Mauritius, Myanmar, Kuwait, Baharain and several other countries are expected to participate in the national level summit. Some delegates will even stay with residents to get a feel of the local culture and traditions. As Indore gears for the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas commencing with the Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, residents are hopeful the city will be true to the spirit of Atithi Devo Bhava, and guests will take happy memories home.
(The writer is an independent journalist based in Indore; she can be reached at vinati71@gmail.com)
