Trade Fair is back in bigger & better avatar at Pragati Maidan in Delhi

ByManvi Singh

Nov 14, 2023 01:34 PM IST

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The 42nd India International Trade Fair has opened today with more than 3,500 exhibitors celebrating the rich heritage of India's crafts and handloom.

Wondering how much to carry so that you don’t fall short of money while shopping? Well, it’s never enough when it comes to India International Trade Fair! This much-loved and easily the most popular annual affair that takes place in Delhi is returning this time in a much grader scale as compared to last year, and visitors are being encouraged to go cashless.

Cultural performances will be staged at Open Amphitheatre near Hall 2 and 5 of Pragati Maidan. (For representational purposes only)(Photo: Gokul VS/HT)

“We are encouraging everyone to go cashless, to align the fair with the Digital India initiative,” informs Krishan Kumar, deputy general manager, India Trade Promotion Organisation, adding, “Cashless transactions are easier and more seamless to make, which is why thought to take this initiative in accordance with the Digital India programme. Even the ticket booking process has been made online, in addition to making the physical tickets available at 55 metro stations across Delhi-NCR.”

Crafts and handloom from 29 Indian states and 20 countries will be part of the fair. (For representational purposes only)(Photo: Gokul VS/HT)

This isn’t all for the fair is going to be in one of its grandest avatars! “We have organised the fair in 1,10,000 square feet space and will have 3,500 exhibitors including 400 private exhibitors, which were only 260 until last year,” shares Kumar, adding, “Also, for the first time, all 14 halls at Pragati Maidan will be used together for the fair since its recent renovation.”

So be it the Kashmiri Pashmina shawls or Kerala’s coir craft, Punjab’s bhangra dancers or Bihar’s delicious litti chokha, the trade fair has it all that represents India’s cultural diversity from its 29 states and union territories. The partner states this year are Bihar and Kerala whereas the focus states are Delhi, Jammu, Kashmir, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh.

But visitors must not miss the international stalls. “Twenty countries will be participating this year and will represent their nation at Hall 4, in comparison to 16 countries last year. IITF 2023 will feature country’s latest export potential in diverse realms especially since we are celebrating India’s presidency of the G20, which is why the theme for the fair this year is ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam: United by Trade’,” adds Kumar.