Gwalior trade fair

Gwalior Trade Fair was initiated in the year 1905 .GWALIOR TRADE FAIR is the biggest fair of Madhya Pradesh and, indeed, one of the most colorful fairs of the whole North India. Spread in a vast 104 acres of area and divided into several 'blocks' and 'sectors', the Mela Ground at Race Course Road is rightly known as the Pragati Maidan of Madhya Pradesh. For over a month, from the last week of December to the end of January, the whole Mela campus turns into a mini city with everything in its ambit -- from coffee shop to cyber cafe, from handicrafts to motorcars. Perhaps no other Fair in North India reflects such an element of vastness and variety. And this is the specialty! Gwalior Mela has evolved as a trade fair from a simple rural fair of a century ago when the Mela would turn into a big 'haat" of farming cattle -- oxen, horses, camels, etc. and village products and handicrafts. However, it is not just a trade fair. It goes beyond that and embraces various colors of life -- economic, poetic, musical, cultural, rural, urban, traditional and modern. Its life-blood is a compound of soul and beauty, of economy and tradition, of dreams and realities, of culture and of progressiveness.

A century ago, the Gwalior Mela came into existence with the initiatives of the then ruler of Gwalior State, High Highness Madho Rao Scindia. . The Mela, known as "Mela Maveshiaan" when it was started, was the result of the natural disasters which hit Gwalior twice in 1894 and in 1904 leaving the farmers starving and bewailing their ill-fate in the famines. In the year 1905, "Mela Maveshiaan" was started with a view to provide the farmers an opportunity for open bargaining with the farmers of other states and get competitive price for their agricultural products. Soon, it gained momentum and became famous beyond the boundaries of Gwalior State -- attracting sellers and buyers from all around. It became an important socio-economic phenomenon of the people of Gwalior. In the process of evolution, the administration of Mela fell into the hands of a nominated committee of people and businessmen. Acting fast keeping pace with time, the Committee made a detailed plan for further expansion of the fair as early as in 20's. Outline plans were prepared for a systematic 'bazaar' equipped with as many facilities as possible. (Late) Maharaja Jiwaji Rao Scindia and, then, Mr. Madhav Rao Scindia, inherited the same spirit characterizing (late) Maharaja Madho Rao and greatly helped in the further development of Gwalior Mela. There are many other people and associations who are closely linked with its growth including Madhya Pradesh Chamber of Commerce (Gwalior), Mr. Arjun Singh, Mr. Digvijay Singh, Mr. Narendra Nahta, Mr. Ramesh Chandra Agrawal and Dr. Virendra Gangwal. However, the existence and survival of Gwalior Mela, amidst daunting setbacks in its journey of a full century, owes much .. much more to the people of this "Fortified City". They are proud of their Gwalior, they are proud of its legacies and so they have preserved Gwalior Trade Fair for the world.

The Cattle Fair is still an integral part of Gwalior Trade Fair and even though modern developments have effectively told upon its health, some 10,000 animals - mainly cows, camels, oxen, buffaloes and horses - are sold during its short span. Art & Craft Sector of Gwalior Trade Fair is a major attraction for the visitors where sculptors, woodcarvers, ceramic artists, weavers and several other like-minded professionals participate from all over Madhya Pradesh and beyond. Apart from satisfying the creative thirst of the artists and exposing them to an atmosphere of appreciation and identification, the business yields them an approximate income of Rs.60 lakh.

A major attraction of Gwalior Trade Fair is exemption of Sales Tax which serves as a stimulator and booster. This is especially a great gift for the middle class consumer who has a modest budget for costly dreams. Scooter, Motorcycle, TV., Washing Machine, Camera, Music System, Juicer & Grinder, Molded Furniture, Kitchen Machine, Microwave Oven, Refrigerator, Cooler, Wooden furniture, and what not! There is an ever-expanding list with the middle class. Gwalior Mela is the 'season' when at least few of the dreams can be bought within budget and, may be, with some free gifts inside! This year, the Automobile Sector, too, will be benefited from sizeable exemption on the Sales Tax that means a significant cut down on the prices of scooters, motorcycles, tractors, three-wheelers and four-wheelers. As Mr. Nagpal of Prem Motors chirps, a grand business is ahead. Such exemptions on almost all items serve as the backbone of the trade fair. Those who participate in the fair agree that in a month they are able to enhance the sale to such extent as equals to the sale of the whole year. The Millennium Fair 2000 was a grand success and this year, with the boost provided to the Automobile sector, the turn-over is sure to multiply.

So, make hay while the sun shines and dream on till the 'Mela' is in its full color. Visit the trade fair and enjoy the life king-size. This is all-embracing, all-entertaining. From 'Dangal' to 'Kavi Sammelan', from Kashmiri shawls to Rajasthani 'Chundaris', from Haryanvi 'Lehngas' to 'Chanderi' sarees, from international circus to jugglers' shows, from Agra's 'Pethe' to Gwalior's 'Gazak', from Mathura's 'Pede' to Bihar's 'Khaza', from electronic exhibitions to book stalls, from pincers to lawn mowers, from 'Kavvalis' to Padmini's dance - imagine whatever and see them in the Mela. This is the ocean where all rivers meet with a warble of contentment. With its wide spectrum, it has greatly contributed to the economic life of the state and has weft a fabric of social life where collectivity, collaboration and cohesiveness show the path of prosperity. Gwalior