JOIN USWhen in Delhi and if there is any fair happening, one knows where to go! And Pragati Maidan it is. This sprawling venue in Delhi for large exhibitions and conventions spread over an impressive 72,000 sq metres is the city’s largest exhibition centre.
Owned and managed by India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), the trade promotion agency of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Pragati Maidan plays host to numerous fairs all through the year – the most popular being the ongoing India International Trade Fair (IITF), which is a much-awaited event every year.
The IITF, the most talked-about fairs in the country, during November, showcases and sells authentic craft, handicraft items, handlooms, etc., not just from India but from countries across the globe.
From authentic food items of different states of India to handicrafts, accessories, fabrics and sarees of various states of India to dry fruits of Afghanistan and trendy bags from Thailand, IITF has everything for everyone.
Pragati Maidan literally means ‘field of progress’, was opened in 1972. The venue and the event were meant to celebrate 25 years of India’s Independence.
It is a huge complex of buildings spread across acres of land with many lawns. The complex houses many pavilions like the Nehru Pavilion, the Defence Pavilion, the Indira Pavilion, and the Son of India Pavilion.
There is also an auditorium where various shows are held quite frequently and an internal shuttle service for those who do not wish to walk.
Pragati Maidan also houses a movie theatre called Shakuntalam, which was once quite popular among college kids for its comparatively cheap tickets, but unfortunately it was closed down two years back.
The place is also host to the popular Wills Lifestyle Indian Fashion Week (WIFW) organised by the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) every year, apart from exhibitions of almost all major industries – toys, leather, lifestyle products and services, exports to medical equipment and sports equipments, and even a job fair.
Pragati Maidan has also started hosting new fairs, like the Security Expo, which showcases new innovations in the security sector for the various forces.
From foreign exhibitors to Indian manufactures, the expo is an ideal venue to showcase the latest in arms, ammunitions and security equipments to highlighting new and innovative security measures for the nation.