Modi unveils G20 logo, theme with a ‘one world’ push

NEW DELHI: India’s leadership of G20 represents an opportunity to share the country’s achievements in areas ranging from democracy to digitalisation with the world, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday as he launched the logo and theme for the G20 presidency, stressing that the responsibility comes at a “time of crisis and chaos in the world”.

The G20 logo, launched by Modi at a virtual event, juxtaposes the planet earth atop a lotus, the national flower symbolising spirituality, wealth and knowledge. The colours of the logo — saffron, green, white and blue — are derived from the national flag, and the design draws on elements from entries received during a competition organised on the MyGov portal, which received more than 2,000 submissions.

The seven petals of the lotus in the logo signify the seven seas and the coming together of the seven continents for the G20 Summit to be hosted by India in New Delhi during September 9-10, 2023.

The logo also reflects India’s “pro-planet approach”, and the theme — “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” or “One Earth, One Family, One Future” — is drawn from the ancient Sanskrit text of the Maha Upanishad and affirms the value of all life, human, animal, plant and microorganisms, and their interconnectedness. The theme further spotlights the LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) concept that is based environmentally sustainable and responsible choices.

Addressing the launch ceremony, Modi said India’s cultural heritage going back thousands of years has taught the country to envision global progress as it strives for its own progress. India’s achievements in many fields can be useful to other he said, speaking in a mix of Hindi and English.

“The world is going through the after-effects of a disruptive once-in-a-century pandemic, conflicts and lot of economic uncertainty. The symbol of the lotus in the G20 logo is a representation of hope in these times. No matter how adverse the circumstances, the lotus still blooms,” the Prime Minister said.

“Even if the world is in a deep crisis, we can still progress and make the world a better place,” he added.