Nothing like a good, big, international summit to get a proper chhutti going. And it’s a multi-day holiday, to boot. It turns out that now joining the likes of Durga puja in West Bengal, where schools and colleges as well as private and public offices are shut for five days, will be the G20 Summit in Delhi. From September 8 to 10, with VIPs and world leaders descending on the national capital – and, more importantly, their numerous entourages and support staff – Authority #1 (Delhi Police) had requested Authority #2 (Delhi chief secretary) to declare the three days a public holiday. Remember, Authority #1 is under Authority #3 (Union home ministry). So, it was good to know that Authority #4 (Delhi chief minister) accepted Authority #1’s request, despite the usual ‘rivalry’ with Authority #3.
The G20 shutdown does cut into Saturday-Sunday. So, students of this studious city and office-goers of this officious capital really get one day’s chhutti. But with commercial enterprises in ‘controlled zones’ and NDMC market areas to be shut through the weekend, this isn’t something shopkeepers and F&B establishments find at ease with doing business. For the rest of us, more G20 and other international summits with letter-numerics in our towns, please. And on weekdays! Being international hosts means being home to chill.
