India's 2023 rise: G20 success, space feats, global 'Naatu Naatu' craze

From hosting a successful G20 Summit to rewriting the annals of space exploration and making the world dance to Naatu Naatu, 2023 saw India establish itself as more than a soft power

The year 2023 marked a significant milestone for India, as evidenced by the dominant themes in the headlines and what gained popularity. The country successfully hosted the G20 Summit, marking a significant milestone in international diplomacy and cooperation. Additionally, India made remarkable strides in space exploration, contributing to a historic chapter in this field. Beyond these achievements, India's cultural impact was vividly demonstrated through the global popularity of the song "Naatu Naatu", which captivated audiences worldwide. These accomplishments collectively underscored India's evolution beyond merely a soft power, showcasing its multifaceted strengths and influence on the global stage. Here's a glimpse of some of the major events of the year in which India came into its own:

GRAND FINALE: Bharat Mandapam, India’s largest convention centre, opened to host the G20 Summit on September 9-10. Built at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi, it boasts the world’s largest statue of Nataraja, made of ‘ashtadhatu’ (eight metals).

ONE WORLD: G20 leaders, including US President Joe Biden, South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, accompanied PM Narendra Modi to pay tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at his memorial, Rajghat, in New Delhi. (Photo: PTI)

ALL DRESSED UP: Ahead of the G20 Summit, New Delhi and several other cities that hosted related events underwent major facelifts. Roads were smoothened, new streetlights were installed, and murals and paintings adorned city walls and buildings. (Photo: PTI)

TOGETHER WE STAND: India’s stature on the global stage was consolidated with its sucessful move to include the African Union as a permanent member of G20. The unanimous Leaders’ Declaration, despite differences over the Russia-Ukraine war, was also was also a milestone.  (Photo: PTI)

LUNAR LANDMARK: India scripted history on August 23 with its Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft successfully landing on the Moon. With this feat, it became the first country to soft-land on the south pole of the lunar surface. (Photo: X)

PLACE IN THE SUN: In a swift follow-up to the lunar success, Isro launched Aditya-L1, India’s first space-based solar observatory. This mission is set to deepen our understanding of the Sun by studying its outermost layer, the corona, which has profound implications for space weather forecasting. (Photo: X)

WELCOME PARTY: India exhibited its diversity and cultural wealth to welcome G20 delegates. Some dignitaries even joined in the dance and songs performances organised at Delhi airport. (Photo: PTI)

SPOUSES’ DAY OUT: On the sidelines of the summit, events were organised for G20 leaders and their spouses. UK PM Rishi Sunak and his wife, Akshata Murthy, visited the Akshardham Temple in New Delhi. (Photo: PTI)

Kartiki Gonsalves’ documentary, The Elephant Whisperers, bagged the award for the best documentary short at the 95th Academy Awards. (Photo: Reuters)

A song from an Indian movie had the world tapping its feet. SS Rajamouli’s RRR won the ‘Best Original Song’ Oscar for “Naatu Naatu”. Music directors of RRR Chandrabose and MM Keeravaani. (Photo: Reuters)