Ahead of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, the historic commercial hubs of Old Delhi are buzzing with enthusiasm and elaborate preparations. High-level diplomatic meetings are scheduled to take place on September 12 and 13 at Bharat Mandapam in Pragati Maidan. Leaders, senior officials, and heads of international organizations from nearly 30 member and partner nations are attending the summit. Foreign delegates are expected to start arriving in the national capital prior to September 11 and will remain in the city beyond September 13. Hoping to capitalize on this international event, merchants in Chandni Chowk are preparing to showcase India's rich cultural heritage and culinary traditions if the delegates get time off from their official engagements.
A Unique Blend of Diplomacy and Commerce in Chandni Chowk
Local business leaders believe that a visit by global dignitaries to historic market centers like Chandni Chowk would significantly promote India's cultural richness on a international stage. Such visits are also expected to provide a substantial boost to local retail and wholesale commerce. Chandni Chowk is not merely a trading space; it represents centuries of Delhi's architectural history, traditional crafts, and renowned hospitality.
CTI Writes to External Affairs Minister with Tour Request
Taking a proactive step, the Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI), an apex body representing Delhi's traders and entrepreneurs, has formally approached the Union government. CTI Chairman Brijesh Goyal has dispatched an official letter to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. In the letter, CTI requested the ministry to incorporate a heritage market walk through Chandni Chowk and adjacent historical markets into the official itinerary of the visiting BRICS delegates. Brijesh Goyal assured that if such a visit is finalized on any day, CTI stands fully prepared to make all necessary hospitality and security arrangements for the guests.
Deployment of Multilingual Guides and Social Media Influencers
To overcome potential language barriers, CTI is deploying dedicated resources across the four days of the summit. CTI General Secretaries Gurmeet Arora and Ramesh Ahuja stated that the organization is arranging trained tourist guides fluent in English and other foreign languages. Furthermore, social media influencers associated with CTI are actively practicing conversations in multiple foreign languages to ensure smooth interaction with international visitors browsing the bazaars.
Traders Prepare: From German Skill Sets to Mandarin Practice
Chandni Chowk offers a rich tapestry of shopping and street food. Renowned food items such as hot jalebis, crispy kachoris, chhole bhature, bhalle papdi, stuffed parathas, and traditional sweets line the narrow lanes. On the retail side, wholesale and retail markets for lehengas, sarees, suits, fine jewelry, suiting-shirting fabrics, gota-zari embroidery, and dry fruits highlight traditional Indian craftsmanship. Individual shopkeepers are going to great lengths to welcome non-Hindi speaking guests. Suresh Kumar Seth, a lehenga and suit merchant who does not speak English, has arranged for his son and daughter to manage the counter between September 11 and 13. His son speaks fluent English, while his daughter is proficient in both English and German. Similarly, food business owner Hemant Verma has conducted English communication training for his staff and is practicing conversational English himself. Merchant Abhishek Gupta has even started practicing Mandarin to converse comfortably with delegates arriving from China.
Special 'Jaleba-Rabri' Prepared for Xi Jinping Amid Cultural Buzz
Food artisans are equally involved in the festivities. Ramakant Sharma, a well-known jalebi maker in Chandni Chowk, has crafted a special dessert named 'Jaleba-Rabri' specifically for the international guests. Ramakant Sharma expressed his personal desire that Chinese President Xi Jinping visit his shop during the summit to taste the traditional sweets of Old Delhi. While it remains to be seen whether foreign dignitaries will find time in their high-profile BRICS schedule to explore the historic lanes, Chandni Chowk traders have fully geared up with language skills, enhanced hospitality, and unique culinary offerings.
