With still ten days to go before the start of the Global Investors Summit, the conclave is already bringing cheer to people in Bhopal, many of whom have found employment as the city readies itself to welcome guests for the key meeting.
Pintu, who has been painting black-and-white stripes on the roadside from Mata Mandir Square to New Market, says, "I have been doing this work for the past month. If such events keep happening in the city, we will continue to get work."
Vinod, who is working alongside him, adds, "We were unemployed for months, but now we are earning ?500 per day for eight hours of work. The entire city is still under preparation. It is great that the government is thinking about us."Rajkumar, a painter with two decades of experience, remarks, "Since Modi ji is coming to Bhopal, the city is being beautified. Leaders of this stature should visit at least 12 times a year so that we continue to have work."
Jairam Singh, who is painting the walls of Shaurya Smarak, states, "The painting season usually comes around Diwali, but something big is happening in the city this time, with Ambani and Adani attending. Whatever it may be, all we know is that the Mohan government is giving us work."
Bipin, who is trimming the grass inside Shaurya Smarak, says, "Many people hope to get jobs after the summit, but we are already earning. If the government's planning is right, we will continue to get work. We are very happy."
Rakesh Maurya, a 50-year-old watering the trees inside the memorial, states, "I don’t have to wander in search of work anymore. What could be better than this? Right now, we have plenty of work, and if this continues, there won’t be any problems."
Anuj Kumar, who is trimming roadside trees, shares, "I am working for a daily wage of ?400. Money is important, but what matters more is getting regular work. Right now, I am earning well, and for that, I thank the government."
Ballu Yadav, who is helping repair broken pavement blocks near the CM House, says, "Work is progressing at a rapid pace. We are working day and night, and there’s a lot of pressure. Bhaiya, talk later—just know that we are getting paid ?700, and there’s no fixed schedule."
Preparations for the upcoming guests—whether it is setting up the tent city or Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya—are underway on a war footing. Additionally, people are being hired for hotel cleaning and other related work.
Currently, in the capital city, several tasks such as road repairs, painting stripes, wall paintings, cleaning, installing signboards, waste disposal, and signal and streetlight repairs are creating numerous employment opportunities.
The summit, scheduled for the last week of February, will see participation from PM Modi, top business minds, and over 10,000 attendees. In addition to the event itself, people will gain employment before, during, and after the summit—an indirect yet significant benefit of this grand occasion.
