Fairs have been always a fascinating outing for children during vacations and weekends. What more can be a better gift to a child on children’s day than a to treat him with a trip to a huge area full of exhibitors from various parts of the country and the world displaying and selling their irresistible products and services?
President Pranab Mukherjee on Monday declared the 36th India International Trade Fair (IITF) at Pragati Maidan open. “I declare India International Trade Fair open, and wish all of you the very best,” said President Mukherjee. The trade fair is being organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) on the theme of ‘Digital India’. Speaking on the occasion, the President said, “I am happy to note that the present government is focusing greater attention on renewable energy sectors.”
President Mukherjee said on the inaugural occasion that the India International Trade Fair was a mega projection of the New India that was fast taking shape. It showcases the vision of a glorious tomorrow, a spirit of excellence and achievement and unparalleled investment opportunity through the prism of the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Digital India’ initiatives taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “The fair symbolises India’s commitment towards bringing the benefits of economic reform to its people from all walks of society, especially the under-privileged,” he said.
“Apart from economic dimensions, I believe that a fair such as IITF provides an excellent opportunity to introspect on challenges, integrate minds and prepare strategies for the mammoth task of nation building. As India strives to become a manufacturing hub in diverse sectors, it needs to increase its energy resources without compromising on the environmental aspects. Factors such as demography, development and urbanisation exert tremendous pressure on availability of resources. Large-scale utilisation of resources impacts adversely on the environment. Industry, therefore, needs to adopt eco-friendly measures and technologies,” said President Pranab Mukherjee.
He was confident that the fair would reinforce Indian brands - brands that can, in the first instance, compete and win against the dominant international players in Indian market before venturing overseas.
To counter problems of currency due to the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes, ITPO has organised for mobile ATMs and cashless purchases. The authorities have promised to set up several ATMs for the convenience of the visitors.
Ravi Shankar Prasad, Minister of IT and Law inaugurated the digital pavilion theme at the trade fair. He said, “Digital India in simple term means enlightening India and empowering India. Indian IT companies are present in 200 cities of 80 countries around the world. I’m proud of the Indian IT companies.” Digitising or country will offer benefits and ease in business and daily work of people’s lives just the way people are now buying e-tickets, applying for passport and even selling and buying products.
In her key note address, Nirmala Sitharaman Minister of State for Commerce and Industry complimented ITPO for holding this edition of the fair with improved logistics and stature. She said the event serves India’s industrial progress as well as projects the country as a worthy global trade and investment destination under ‘Make in India’ campaign.
The fair also provides a glimpse with updated information on various missions, schemes and initiatives, launched by the Government such as- Swachh Bharat Campaign, Clean Ganga Mission, Jan Dhan Yojana, Skill India, Adhar, 175 Solar Mission, Farmer Corp Insurance, Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation(AMRUT), Start up and Stand up Campaign, Smart Cities and Model Villages. These programmes will be demonstrated prominently in the display profile of the pavilions of the States and Union Territories as well as standalone pavilions.
This year’s ‘Partner States’ are Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand and ‘Focus State’ is Haryana, while the ‘Partner Country’ is South Korea and Belarus is the ‘Focus Country’.
The fair will be open for business visitors from November 14 to 18, and for regular visitors from November 19-27 at the following Ticket prices for working days: Adult Rs 60 and Child Rs 40; and for Saturday/Sunday/Holiday, Adult Rs120 and Child Rs 60. School children are also allowed on business days with the advance purchase of tickets applicable for general days.
There will be free entry for senior citizens (60 years and above) and differently-abled persons on presentation of valid age/physical handicapped document with photo thereon from all gates from November 19-27.