Shillong, April 15: Meghalaya is putting its best foot forward to ensure that the delegates attending the precursor meeting of Space Economy Leaders Meeting (SELM), under the G20 Presidency of India, in the state have fond memories of their visit.
The state hopes that the precursor event on April 17-18, 2023, at Shillong will help showcase, benchmark, and position Meghalaya as a bright destination for tourism, investment, and development among the 28 diplomats from various countries. The G20 event at Shillong is a precursor to the main Space Economy Leaders Meeting (SELM) at Bengaluru on July 6-7, 2023, which will be attended by G20 Heads of Space Agencies and the Heads of G20 Space Industries.
State Principal Secretary of Home Department, Shakil P. Ahammed on Saturday informed that the event will be held at the Marriott Hotel in Shillong and will be attended by 28 diplomats from various countries, as well as over 100 delegates, including technocrats.
Also Read: Arunachal: Pema Khandu Govt building mini power projects along China border
Emphasizing that getting such high-level delegates to visit the state is a rare occasion, he said, “It will be an opportunity for the state to showcase our own unique culture natural beauty cuisine and most sort after cleanliness, hospitality. Getting such high level delegates coming to our state is a rare occasion. We should present our best foot forward so that they can go back with fond memories which will help state in showcasing, benchmarking and positioning Meghalaya as bright destination for tourism, investment and development.”
Apart from the conference itself, the event will also feature exhibits by startups in the space economy industry. In addition to the exhibits by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), 28 startups will showcase their products at the side of the conference.
The event is a continuation of earlier events held in the G20 summits by Saudi Arabia, Italy and Indonesia in the past to collaborate in the space sector.
ISRO Director, Dr Sudheer Kumar, highlighted the focus of the event, which is to showcase all the capabilities of ISRO and the Department of Space and informed that the event will be a collaboration in future science missions.
“Northeast States play a very important role for us. Because of the hilly areas, the potential is more. In harsh conditions, the space application is the best. The Northeast Space Application Centre is doing great. We want to showcase that these areas have huge potential for the space industries to come and invest. Our next event will be held in Bengaluru on 6th and 7th July. This is a precursor to that main event,” said the ISRO Director citing that space technology serves best to predict weather conditions with high probability.
Dr Joram Beda, Commissioner & Secretary, Dept of Planning, Govt of Meghalaya briefed the Press about the Technical Sessions that are being planned during the event.
The inaugural function on April 17 will have Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, Union Minister of State (Finance) Pankaj Chaudhury, Union Minister of State (Ind. Charge) Science &Tech Dr Jitendra Singh, Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa, Secretary, Department of Space (DOS) Somanath S, Chairman IN-SPACe Dr Pawan Kumar Goenka.
Also Watch:
