PM Modi- Xi Jinping Summit: Security heightened in Mamallapuram

Ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's India visit, security at Mamallapuram has been heightened. Apart from this, flags of India and China have been placed across the sprawling venue. In addition, preparations are in full swing at the Chennai Airport ahead of the Chinese leader's arrival. Xi is scheduled to visit Chennai between October 11-12 for the second Informal Summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

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Preparations underway for Xi's India visit

The Chennai Airport has been decorated traditionally with banana leaves, flower garlands, and fruits. Meanwhile, over 2,000 school students donned masks with Xi's picture on them. They also practised formations to welcome the Chinese President to Chennai. This will be the second informal summit chaired by leaders of both countries. The summit is scheduled to take place in Mamallapuram in Tamil Nadu. The first informal summit was held in China's Wuhan in 2018 on April 27 and 28. The agenda for the upcoming summit will focus on issues of bilateral, regional and global importance. It also aims at strengthening the India-China Closer Development Partnership

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Spruced Up Pallava-era Sculptures Ready For PM Modi- Xi summit

The ancient Mamallapuram monuments, spruced up ahead of this week's Indo-China summit, is a quiet cue to the artistic genius of Pallava era artisans, who created poetry in stone to bring alive several ideas like the time of the day, long before the clock was invented. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to visit the over 1,000-year-old monuments, a deeper study of the scintillating sculptures brings out the brilliance of its creators.

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On the Mamallapuram monuments, noted archaeologist T Satyamurthy said, "The Pallava artisans excelled all their counterparts anywhere else." Illustrating his point, the renowned scholar, who was formerly superintending archaeologist of the Archaeological Survey of India, referred to the grand work of Arjuna's penance to get "Pasupatastra" from Lord Shiva.

"In the entire frame, there are 64 demi-gods, one temple, 13 human beings, 10 elephants, 16 lions, nine deer and antelopes, two sheep, two turtles, one rabbit, one wild pig, one cat, 13 rats, seven birds, four monkeys, one iguana (double-tongued lizard) and eight trees," Satyamurti told in an interview.

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(With Agency Inputs)