Report:Prof.S.S.Dogra. On Sunday, the 19th November,2023: New Delhi. The 42nd edition of India International Trade Fair is at peak, thousands of visitors from Delhi NCR & even across the country specially arriving to witness the 3500 participants from all Indian states & UTs besides 13 countries of the world. This IITF started on 14th November and remain open for the public till 27th November,2023.
The Indian s tate which is known across the world as God’s own Country. Interestingly, Kerala along with Bihar the partner states in the 42nd edition of IITF-2023. Kerala State Pavilion was inaugurated by Dr. V. Venu-IAS, Chief Secretary, Government of Kerala on the inaugural day on 14th itself. This time theme of Kerala State’s pavilion is “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam-United by Trade”. It’s spread 627 Sq.M. with forty four stalls divided into two wings:- ten theme area and 34 Commercial area stalls. The cultural programmme of Kerala State will be held on 20th at Amphitheatre in front of Hall No.5 where Chenda Performance of Aattam Kalasamithi and Thekkinkadaadu Band from Kerala will perform live.
Today I visited Kerala Pavilion Hall No.5 at Pragati Maidan where Kerala trade, handicrafts, sea foods & agro based are showcased in the IITF-2023. The Kerala pavilion featuring Kerala’s rich trade history and trade heritage of Muziris and the recent development of Vizhinjam International Port, With forty four stalls narrating its state commercial evolution, the pavilion aims to provide a unique platform for local entrepreneurs to showcase Karala’s trade ethnicity and culture.
Directorate of Industries & Commerce, Kerala Tourism, Department of Cooperation, Kerala Arts and Crafts Village, Schedule Tribes Development Department, Department of Agriculture Development and Farmers Welfare, Department of Fisheries, Directorate of Handloom and Textiles, Kerala State Handloom Development Corporation Ltd, Kerala State Cooperative Marketing Federadion, Kerala State Bamboo Mission, Department of Panchayath, Handicrafts Development Cooperation of Kerala Ltd. Coir Development Department, Kudumbasree, Kerala State Handloom Weavers Society Ltd. , Department of Culture, Khadi Grama Vyavasaya Board etc. have been specially offering their products and service for the general public.
As far as Kerala State’s participation in the IITF is concerned, Kerala’s name has found respectful place in the previous IITF from time to time. Kerala state has already conferred with 9 Gold medals, 3 Silver Medals and 2 Bronze Medals including the Gold in last year’s 2022 and Bronze in 2021 under the theme “Vocal for Local; Local to Global” besides the theme in 2021 was “Self Reliant India”.
Talking to Himalini Sasikumar S-Dy Director-Industries & Commerce who is now promoted to Special Officer for Directorate of Plantations, Govt. of Kerala said that Kerala is known for its plantation and keeping this in mind, ‘ Directorate of Plantation’ was formed by Government of Kerala in 2021 under Industries and Commerce Department exclusively for the promotion of plantation crops likes rubber, coffee, tea, cardamom , paper etc. This is the first initiative in India to set up a such an organisation under government level in plantation sector. The main objectives are policy level intervention for the upliftment of plantation sector in Kerala, Skill development programme for all plantation stakeholders and labours, Comprehensive study for diversification and revitalization plantations Kerala. Around 717 plantations & around 66000 people working under plantations as labours.
Mr. Binu Kollengode-Industries Extension officer also shared very important information with our Bureau Chief Delhi, According to Mr.Binu , Kerala is a small state with a huge population of 3.5 Crores. The land is not much available set up the industries/enterprises so big industries is not possiblelike other big state like U.P. or Bihar. So, Kerala Government under the visionaly leadership of Honble CM- Pinarayi Vijayan promoting tiny enterprises in every household of Kerala to make every citizen of Kerala self-reliant.
(Report by Bureau Chief-Delhi for Himalini Magazine-Nepal, www.himalini.com Email:ssdogra2020@gmail.com)
