Ahead of Ivanka’s visit, Hyderabad undergoes a complete makeover

The stage is set for the three-day Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) beginning on November 28, even as the local administration faces sharp criticism for its ‘over enthusiasm’ in clearing beggars from city roads and restricting movement in areas that the US President Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka is scheduled to visit.

A huge buzz has been created and Ivanka will be the prime attraction at the eighth edition of conference, which is being held in South Asia for the first time. Ivanka, an advisor to the US President, is leading a business delegation from the US. The US government is keeping the details of Ivanka’s schedule under wraps. But for her participation at the entrepreneurship summit at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre and dinner at the Falaknuma Palace, there is no information on when she is arriving, duration of her stay and the places that she is likely to visit.

The organisers have lined up a host of speakers, from different countries and sectors, to address the audience.

The Telangana government is spending heavily on the city’s infrastructure, which had been battered during the recent rains. All roads that connect HICC at the IT hub of Madhapur, and other major roads, are being relaid.

The police are making elaborate security arrangements to ensure the safety of Ivanka, who will be staying at the Westin Hotel located at the Raheja Mindspace in Madhapur.

Sources in the government said the US might even change the venue as the news of her stay there has been exposed.

The conference Co-hosted by the US government and the Central government, the GES is an annual gathering of emerging entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders from different countries. The theme for this year’s edition is Women First, Prosperity for All, which will “highlight the critical role women play in fostering global growth and prosperity”.

The list of speakers include Anuradha Acharya, CEO, Mapmygenome; Ashu Suyash, CEO, Crisil; Chanda Kochhar, CEO, ICICI Bank; Shashi Shekhar Vempati, CEO, Prasar Bharati; Sudhir Sethi, Founder, IDG Ventures India; and Vani Kola, MD, Kalaari Capital.

Criticism With Ivanka in town for three days and Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled to speak at the event, security sleuths from the US, Indian and State governments are making elaborate arrangements. The security personnel are attuning themselves to meet the requests from the US security officials.

The civic administration has banned the movement of beggars ahead of her visit. As Ivanka and a host of guests are scheduled to visit the historic Falaknuma Palace during the conference stay, the police will be closely monitoring the movement of people in the vicinity.

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