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India’s largest trade fair opens in New Delhi

India’s largest trade fair opens in New Delhi

President Pranab Mukherjee at the inauguration of the 35th India International Trade Fair (IITF-2015), at Pragati Maidan, in New Delhi on November 14, 2015. The Minister of State for Commerce & Industry (Independent Charge), Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman and other dignitaries are also seen.

President Pranab Mukherjee at the inauguration of the 35th India International Trade Fair (IITF-2015), at Pragati Maidan, in New Delhi on November 14, 2015. The Minister of State for Commerce & Industry (Independent Charge), Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman and other dignitaries are also seen.

New Delhi:(IANS) The 35th edition of India’s largest trade fair kicked off on Saturday at the sprawling Pragati Maidan grounds here with President Pranab Mukherjee calling it an opportunity for India to strengthen its bilateral trade relations with the world.

“The India International Trade Fair (IITF) is a brand name enjoying recognition from around the world. This annual celebration of trade is to develop our bilateral relations with the rest of the world,” Mukhejee said in his inaugural address here.

The government in the recent past has “intensified” the country’s bilateral relations with the world, the President said.

The first five days of the exposition have been reserved exclusively for business visitors. The public will be allowed to visit the fair from November 19 until its conclusion on November 27.

Commerce and Industry Ministry Nirmala Sitharaman said the event is of a “global stature” and would see participation by at least 28 countries. This edition of IITF will follow the theme of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Make in India initiative.

“We have potential for becoming world’s fifth largest exporter by 2030. Focused activity is our hallmark,” Sitharaman said.

“India is emerging as a preferred investment destination,” she added.

This year, while Afghanistan is the ‘partner’ country, Bangladesh has been roped in as the ‘focus’ country. Goa and Jharkhand are acting as the partner states, while Madhya Pradesh has been made the focus state.

According to the organisers, over 7,000 firms from India and overseas are participating in the fair. The overseas participation is from countries including Egypt, Bhutan, China, Cuba, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tibet, Turkey, and the UAE.

The fair will be open daily from 9.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. The public visitors will have to pay Rs.30 on week days and Rs.50 on weekends or holidays for admission. Senior citizens and the differently abled will be given free entry. Tickets can be purchased online for business days.

The last year’s event saw a footfall of over 1.4 million, a nine percent increase over the attendence in 2013. In addition, 63 business delegations from 41 countries and a large number of people from foreign missions in New Delhi had visited the exposition.

A message from World Book Fair: Digital can never replace print

A message from World Book Fair: Digital can never replace print

writer and thinker Mr.Narendra Kumar promoting his book "Mahamandi" at world book fair, New Delhi

Writer and thinker Mr.Narendra Kumar promoting his book “Mahamandi” at world book fair, New Delhi

By Mahmood Asim, Maeeshat News

New Delhi: At Delhi, s Pragati Maidan when you look at bustling rush of book lovers certainly you will be forced to believe that print medium will continue to grow and will co-exist with digital publishing.

National Book Trust in association of India Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO) is organizing International book fair since 1972 and this year book fair is 23rd in its history. International Book Fair in Pragati Maidan from 14th to 22nd of February this year. International book stalls in the fair do not hope only to do business but to promote and exchange cultures too. At the entrance of Hall No 7 you will find a glimpse of Sharjah book corner but it actually represented by Sharjah International book fair. Head of the delegation and director of SIBF Ahmad Rakkak Al Amri thinks that book fairs are the best way to bring together civilizations.

writer,thinker  Mrs.Madhu Mirlanini after launching  her book  at world book fair, New Delhi

writer,thinker Mrs.Madhu Mirlanini after launching her book at world book fair, New Delhi

Talking to Maeeshat Ahmad Al Farraj representative of King Abdul Aziz University KSA said that book fair in Delhi is more diverse and had plenty of activities every time. “ we get huge gathering every day though our books are only to display but in this way we offer visitors a glimpse of our publications in different universities”. Ahmad added. Representative of many universities and their publications are being displayed at KSA book corner in the fair.

This year around 30 countries are participating in book fair with their stalls and representatives there. Pakistan, China, Singapore, South Korea, KSA, UAE,        Germany, USA and others are many to mention. Singapore is a guest of honour country this year in order to celebrate 50 years close and bilateral ties with India. South Korea is focus country in 23rd international book fair of Delhi. Both countries enjoy rush of gathering and visitors are keen to know about them with special attention.

In Hall No 12 Urdu and Hindi book stalls are doing good business this year. Publications across India are taking part and hope the best ever response this year. Al Balagh Publication from New Delhi informed Maeeshat that though its beginning but we witness more visitors and we hope more at the end of the fair. This year only from Pakistan there are 30 publishers and this number is biggest ever in term of participation in the fair.

International visitors at world book fair, New Delhi

International visitors at world book fair, New Delhi

The book fair stated to the same day when youth across world were celebrating valentine day. Vani Prakashn hosted a curtain raiser for Hey Basant, the festival of love and they appealed youth to gift your valentine a book instead of rose. “Iss Valentine’s Day Pyaar Ka Izhaar Gulaab Se Nahin Kitab Se” the message emboldens in the pavilion.

Children Pavilion is always witness a huge gathering. Comics, cartoons, illustrated story books are means to attract children and publishers are any how keep these things in mind. Children writers, cartoonists are there time to time to engage with children. A workshop on Cartoon and Comics was conducted by a well -known illustrator and author Aabid Surti and Sharad Sharma. A Chunk of activities are ready to welcome you in this pavilion and in international pavilion too.it is indeed a rare moments to meet and learn from scholars, writers and of course your beloved personality if you get the chance.