Konark, Odisha: Lotus Eco Resort Konark, the premier eco-friendly resort in Konark, was honored to host a grand dinner for the esteemed delegates of the G20 Summit. The dinner, held recently, featured a delectable array of international and traditional Odisha cuisine, providing a memorable gastronomic experience for the distinguished guests. The Lotus Eco Resort Konark proved to be an exceptional choice as the venue for the prestigious G20 meet, offering an ideal setting for this grand-scale event.

The G20 comprised of 20 countries including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, and the European Union, has been at the forefront of promoting global economic growth and cooperation.

The dinner at Lotus Eco Resort Konark marked the conclusion of the G20 India’s 3rd Education Working Group (EdWG) meeting, held in April in Bhubaneswar. The EdWG meeting was focused on ensuring the betterment of learners through skilling, upskilling, and reskilling, with discussions revolving around the theme of “Building Capacities, promoting lifelong learning in the context of the future of work.”

The event witnessed the presence of Shri K. Sanjay Murthy, Secretary Higher Education, Shri Sanjay Kumar, Secretary School Education and Literacy, Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, along with senior officials of the ministries. Over 60 delegates from 27 countries, including G20 members, and international organizations such as UNICEF, UNESCO, and OECD, participated in the meeting, contributing to valuable insights and policy discussions.

The three-day event commenced with an enlightening seminar on the future of work, held in collaboration with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. The seminar featured three panel discussions focused on building an agile response to the needs of labor markets, creating pathways between higher and vocational education, and equipping children with future skills for lifelong learning. Delegates shared their policies and initiatives in vocational education and training, acknowledging the importance of upskilling and reskilling in an ever-evolving world.

“The third meeting of the G-20 working group on education was crucial for the entire country, not just for Odisha. Since my team and I were in charge of planning both dinner and the high tea, it was undoubtedly a very huge responsibility. The high tea was hosted at the Kamat Food Court inside the Interpretation Centre in Konark, followed by the dinner hosted at the Lotus Eco Resort. We made every effort to demonstrate the cuisine and hospitality that are hallmarks of the Kamat Group. Our emphasis was on keeping with the tradition, so we had also organized local folk dance performances to welcome the guests. The plan from India has the support of the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organisation. Since the year 2023 has been designated as the International ‘Year of Millets’, Odisha has been promoting millets through the Millet Mission for the past few years. So, we decided to include a few millet-based dishes in our menu. The guests highly appreciated our ‘Millet Soup’ and ‘Millet Malpua’.”

Bharat Bhusan Biswal, General Manager, Lotus Eco Resort, Konark

The G20 delegates were also treated to a mesmerizing excursion, starting with a visit to the historic Konark Sun Temple, followed by captivating cultural performances in Puri. As a token of appreciation and remembrance, the delegates were presented with patachitra paintings, showcasing the rich heritage of Bhubaneswar.

“During the grand dinner, Lotus Eco Resort Konark showcased its culinary prowess, serving over 45 varieties of snacks and dishes inspired by different countries. However, special emphasis was given to the traditional cuisine of Odisha, captivating the taste buds of the G20 delegates. Some of the standout dishes included ‘Mandia (Millet) Pitha’, a traditional dessert called ‘Malpua’ prepared with Millet, and a sumptuous ‘Roasted Pumpkin Millet Soup with Burnt Garlic’.”

The Executive Chef at Lotus Eco Resort, Konark, Sunil Kumar Panigrahi

“Along with the above dishes, we served Odisha’s famous ‘Dahi Wada, ‘Aloo Dum’, ‘Khasi Mansa Jhola (Mutton Curry Odia Style)’, ‘Khainga Machha Besara’, ‘Chhena Tarakari’, ‘Vegetable Santula’, ‘Chaula Khiri’, ‘Chhena Podo’ and ‘Chhena Jhilli’ for the delegates,”

The Executive Chef at Lotus Eco Resort, Konark, Sunil Kumar Panigrahi

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