Goa CM wants a sightseeing tour for BRICS First Ladies

Panaji: Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar wants to ensure that while the heads of the BRICS` states discuss serious world affairs, their wives should get something to cheer about besides global politics.

Speaking to IANS, Parsekar, who was in Delhi on Wednesday to apprise Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj about the preparations for the upcoming BRICS - Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa - meet, also pitched the latter to incorporate a guided tour of Goa for the First Ladies in the event`s two-day itinerary.

"The state would like to take the spouses of the leaders on a sightseeing tour of Goa. The Goan culture will also be displayed during the programme which is to be hosted for them," Parsekar said.

The BRICS summit is scheduled to be held in October in South Goa and the Chief Minister has lobbied for an opportunity to host a state dinner for the dignitaries.

"We are planning things in such a way that it is a memorable event for all the delegates. When speaking to Sushma Swaraj, I have sought that the state be allowed to host a dinner," Parsekar said.

During his meeting with Rajnath Singh, he sought more bullet-proof jackets for security personnel, additional reinforcements in form of central paramilitary forces and mobile jammers.

"I have apprised him of the situation in Goa and the work we have done to host the summit until now and how we have planned it. From the security point of view, we are going to need bullet proof jackets, (mobile) jammers, as well as reinforcements from the centre and the Intelligence Bureau," Parsekar added.