A VISIT TO AN EXHIBITIONA visit to an exhibition is very educative. We learn so many things from the exhibits displayed there. It is also a source of much delight and entertainment. I am fond of visiting exhibitions whenever they are there and I have time to spare. Exhibition can be of many types. It may be industrial, consumer, flower exhibition, book exhibition, exhibition on textiles, fashions, computers, food and agriculture.

Recently I visited the 23rd India International Trade Fair and Exhibition 2003. It was held at the famous and sprawling Pragati Maidan from 14th November to 27th November. My mother, my younger sister and I myself went to the fair and exhibition. It was Sunday and very pleasant. The sky was clear and bright with pleasant sun-shine. The cool breeze was blowing. We reached the exhibition ground by a three wheeler scooter at gate No.1. There was a huge crowd at the gate. I joined the long queue and after half an hour I bought three entry tickets. By that time it was 11O?clock.

There were pavilions and pavilions. Pavilions of all the Indian states. There were railway and defence pavilions. Then there were foreign besides scores of industrial pavilions. They were of many sizes and all sorts of goods, machines and products were on show and sale. The fair had brought the buyers were on a common platform on a vast scale. My mother was specially interested in having as good look at consumer items products. She was interested in new and innovative items.

We entered the Hall No.2 and there were all kinds of food and health- care products and items. All the stalls were crowded and the business was very brisk. My mother bought some honey, saffron and ayurvedic tonic for papa. The Hall No.1 had footwere, handicrafts and home furnishings. My mother wanted to buy some curtain but it was postponed for the next visit when she will come again with papa the next week.

By then we wanted to have some refreshments and so went to a food- stall. There we enjoyed hot coffee and snacks and basked in the sun on the lush green lawn. Next, we visited Hall No.3 and 4. In the Hall No.3 were all types of garments- silken, woolen, cotton, woven etc. all so colorful, rich, and inviting. My sister bought a woolen pullover with a beautiful flower design. In the Hall No. 4 were jewellery items. They dazed the beholders with their variety, prize, dazzle and display in the bright electric lights. There were silver, gold and imitation jewellery; plain items with intricate designs and inlaid with precious and semi-precious stones.

Next we visited the state pavilions. They included those of Rajasthan, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh. The Rajasthan pavilion attracted us the most. It stood like a big pink royal mansion with big arches and lattice work. Its huge Rajput style domes added to its beauty and fascination. At the entrance Rajasthani folk music was being played on typical instruments. The pavilion consisted of two floors. They were full of many beautiful items and creations. These included marble, artware, tie- dye sarees, readymade garments, jewellery, paintings, toys, Rajasthani quilts lac articles, mirror- work, blu pottery etc. I bought a pair of blue pottery vases for friend. There were many irresistible items.

We also visited the technology exports and techmart pavilions, but my mother did not take much interest in these. And so we just hurried through. Then we relaxed on the lawn near the big blue lake full of clear water. In the middle of the lake fountains played merrily. On the public address system was being played soft instrumental music. The lilting, liquid music soothed my mother to a short refreshing nap. In the meanwhile;e we enjoyed icecreams. Then we visited India?s vision Hall. The fair and exhibition gave a good view of the country?s progress since India?s independence in 1947.

We returned home late in the evening. The visit was very entertaining and refreshing. In the exhibition there was an atmosphere of festivity and celebration. Their were huge crowds enjoying themselves. It looked as if the whole city had collected there. I had collected a lot of literature during our rounds. This literature had a wealth of information on many subjects of the country. I shall ever remember this exhibition as a grand visual record of 50 years of independence of India. But I felt our single visit was not sufficient to cover even half the pavilions and stalls.