VISITING HUMAYUN’S TOMB ON OCTOBER 17, 2018; WEDNESDAY AT NEW DELHI BY PRABUDDHA BISWAS

Hamida Banu Begum, Humayun’s grieving widow, built Emperor Humayun’s mausoleum during 1565-72 A. D. Precursor to the Taj Mahal, it stands on a platform of 12000 m² and reaches a height of 47 m. The earliest example of Persian influence in Indian architecture, the tomb has within it over 100 graves, earning it the name, ‘Dormitory of the Mughals’. Built of rubble masonry, the structure is the first to use red sandstone and white marble in such great quantities. The small canopies on the terrace were originally covered in glazed blue tiles, and the brass finial over the white marble dome is itself 6 m. high.

The 550 metres long central vista inspired by the 16^th Century garden traditions of flowing water, monolithic marble fountains & formal flower beds. Humayun’s Tomb has been inscribed on the World Heritage List of the Convention concerning the protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. Inscription on this list confirms the Exceptional Universal Value of a Cultural or Natural Site which deserves protection for the benefit of All Humanity.

[WESTERN GATE]

[TOMB OF HUMAYUN ]

Between 2000 and 2003, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture funded and collaborated with the Archaeological Survey of India in implementing project to revitalise the 30-Acre garden surrounding the monument. Amongst other conservation work, 3-kms of water channels have been repaired, 3.5 kms of pathway edging restored, 3000 trucks of excess earth manually removed, 4 kms of sandstone hand-chiselled, 2500 plants favoured by the Mughals planted, 25000 square metres of pathways restored, an exhaustive rainwater harvesting system introduced, minor structures conserved, historic wells discovered and desilted, wheelchair access and a site interpretation centre provided.

[EASTERN GATE]

The Aga Khan Trust for Culture, with co-funding of Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and in partnership with the Archeological Survey of India undertook the conservation of Humayun’s Tomb and associated structures during 2007-2013.

[NORTHERN GATE & THE STARTING POINT OF WATER CHANNEL]

SOURCE: -

ASI sinages & information

ENJOYING DURGA PUJA AT CHITTARANJAN PARK, NEW DELHI ON SAPTAMI DAY DATED OCTOBER 16, 2018

In Bengal, Ma Durga is visualized as the loving daughter, who comes to visit her parents (Maikey) and other family members from Sasural; during these three days and hence all the family members and village community celebrate and enjoy the great occasion. 

Hence, Durga Puja is integral part of Bengali Culture and that is time for celebration and enjoyment with one and all with all its manifestation; i.e.  by wearing new dresses, enjoying delicious cuisines, participating in cultural functions, travelling to new places among others. Today’s Community Durga Puja has not only united Bengali speaking people but one and all transcending religious and cultural divide.

This time, we have enjoyed the Community Durga Puja of Delhi and specially at Chittaranjan Park, the hub of Bengali speaking people of the National Capital. The huge Pandal of the ‘MELA GROUND’ of the Chittaranjan Park, the varied food stalls, standing in queue for enjoying ‘KHIICRI BHOG’, enjoying the PANKTI BHOJAN with others, walking through the streets of Chittaranjan Park and seeing other Puja Pandals, enjoying the stream of people, of varying age-group, with colourful dresses walking through the streets, enjoying the ‘MISTI PAAN’ are some of the cherished memories.

Special thanks to Rakhi Bhabi and Rajesh (my school friend) and resident of Chittaranjan Park for making this occasion, special for us!

(c) Copyright by Prabuddha Biswas

PARTICIPATING IN THE 46TH EDITION OF IHGF DELHI FAIR-AUTUMN 2018, OCTOBER 14-18; ORGANIZED BY EXPORT PROMOTION COUNCIL FOR HANDICRAFTS (EPCH) BY PRABUDDHA BISWAS

Earlier known as Indian Handicrafts & Gifts Fair, IHGF Delhi Fair - Spring and Autumn, has seen 45 superlative editions organized by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH). 

The Inaugural Session: - Heralding the Autumn sourcing season, the 46th edition of IHGF Delhi Fair-Autumn 2018 unfolded for five days business rendezvous starting October 14, 2018; with inauguration ceremony and contingents of pre-registered buyers from across continents as well as domestic volume retail businesses from India. The Honourable Minister of State of Textiles, Government of India, Mr. Ajay Tamta had inaugurated the Fair as the Chief Guest. 

Common Platform: - The 46th edition of IHGF Delhi Fair-Autumn 2018 is being organized by EPCH for the promotion & marketing of the handicraft sector in India. India is known for its diverse and dynamic handicraft traditions and has all the potential to satisfy the changing demands of a global market. Common platform has been built and provided for Indian artisans and sellers to interact with the global buyers and to manage their strategies, understand the market scenario.

Intervention of O/o DC Handicrafts: - IHGF Delhi Fair has established its identity among buyers world over. It also provides opportunities to small and medium size enterprises to showcase a wide variety of traditional items, which reflect India’s handicrafts heritage. The Ministry of Textiles through O/o DC (Handicrafts) is supporting the sector in design development, innovations, technological upgradation and skill upgradation. These interventions have enhanced opportunities for market linkages and specially aided exploration of new export markets. The acceleration and growth of exports, results in generation of additional employment in the handicraft sector and EPCH is continuing with its goal of imparting the welfare of 6 million artisans currently engaged with the industry.

Complete Supply Chain: - The IHGF Delhi Fair has taken shape over 45 successful editions as the world’s largest and most comprehensive sourcing event, encompassing the complete supply chain of home fashion & utility, collectibles, gifting and fashion accessories. There are exuberant Theme Pavilions, emphatic presence of Mega Craft Clusters like Jodhpur, collective representation from States of North Eastern Region, regional artisan crafts, product lines from primary producers from far flung craft villages as well as innovations from EPCH’s Integrated Design Development Projects.

Lay out of the IHGF Delhi Fair, Autumn 2018: - Bringing in a comprehensive representation from all craft clusters of India, this edition features (i) 3,000 exhibitors in fifteen well-spread product sectors, in enriched display areas across 15 halls at the India Expo Centre, Greater Noida. (ii) A new addition to the show-Hall No. 16 located outside the front façade of the venue, houses more furniture, home accessories and garden & outdoor products. (iii) Besides, trade visitors will have access to the 900 showrooms (Marts) of leading exporters, located across three levels at the India Expo Centre.

A Panel discussion and Featuring of Product by Ramp Presentation: - A Panel Discussion on ‘Translating Trends into Products’ and Knowledge Seminars on a variety of topics have been conducted by experts from various fields, in course of the fair. Everyday, Ramp Presentations have also been conducted to publicize the products.

International Buyers and Designers seeking Indian source: - It is observed that this fair brings in buyers sourcing an average of over 30% from India. Many source, 50% to 70% of their total imports from vendors they got associated with IHGF Delhi Fair and the buyers hailing from diverse countries and they include Australia, USA, Denmark among others. There are designers who are keen to seek Indian suppliers who can innovate and customize their ideas into products of home décor and they include designers from Spain, USA among others.

Publicity Campaign by IHGF Delhi Fair and its Outcome: - IHGF Delhi Fair has reached out to buyers in Europe, Middle East, and Asia through strategically planned publicity campaigns (i) with e-mailers, (ii) informative communiques as well as (iii) road shows and (iv) one-to-one interactions through its informative booths in prime international trade shows for home, lifestyle, fashion and textiles. As a result, many overseas buyers from all major buying markets are visiting this edition. Besides buyers from India’s traditional markets, substantial traffic from new and emerging markets have been visiting. This time also new exhibitors and first timers have flocked the fair. As a result, additional display space of 3200 sq. metres and another hall, making this autumn edition, a show with 16 halls.

IHGF Delhi Fair Buyers Interest Matrix: - The buyers are having differing interest matrix in buying the products and they include the following: -

SL. NO.	PRODUCT LINE	PERCENTAGE
1	Home Textiles & Flooring	20%
2	Furniture & Interior Accessories	18%
3	Festive Décor & Gifts	17%
4	Houseware & Decoratives	14%
5	Spa, Wellness and Bathroom Accessories	12%
6	Lamps & Lighting	8%
7	Fashion Jewellery & Accessories	6%
8	Paper Products, Toys & Stationery	5%

State / Region-wise Participation: - The Sellers in the IHGF Autumn Fair are mostly hailing from Uttar Pradesh (about 34%), followed by Rajasthan and ‘New Delhi & Northern India’ (both constituting approx. 25% each), Southern India (about 8%) and Eastern India and Western India constituting (4% each) respectively.

Display / Participants in Broad Product Groups: - In the IGHF Autumn Fair, the Sellers display their product with more focus on certain product groups (i) Houseware, Decorative & Gifts on the top followed by (ii) Home Textiles, Furnishing & Floor Coverings; Furniture and Accessories and Fashion Jewellery & Accessories as the next in importance. In the third category of display comes the Lamp & Lighting Products followed by Carpets & Rugs in the fourth category. The fifth displayed category consist of Bathroom accessories and the last category of displayed item consist of Lawn Garden Ornament & Accessories.  

Product Category and Promising Assortment of Creations: - With 14 display sectors IHGF Delhi Fair-Autumn 2018 brings in noteworthy expansion in all categories with a promising assortment of creations, varied in inspiration, processes and materials – Art Metalware,  EPNS ware, wood carvings, furniture and accessories, glassware, fashion jewellery & accessories, hand-printed textiles, shawls, stoles and scarves, embroidered goods, lace, toys, houseware, decorative gifts & general handicrafts, home textiles and home accessories, candles and incense, pottery, terracotta and ceramics, nautical instruments, Christmas and floral decorations, dry flowers and potpourri, handmade paper products, crafts made of leather, lacquer, marble etc.

[PHOTOGRAPH WITH TWO EXHIBITORS]

Continuous Innovation to engage, inspire and satisfy the End-Consumers: - (i) As gifting converges more with many categories like table top products, tableware, kitchenware, home textiles, etc. manufacturers in India constantly innovate to present collections that can engage and inspire the end-consumers. (ii) In the spa & wellness category, dry flowers & potpourri, incense and candles in interesting packaging offer variety. (iii) Architectural knick-knacks with charming detailing like garden and outdoor products, wood and iron brackets are available alongside gazebos, columns and mantles as well as weathered table top décor.

The Present Thrust in Marketing: - (i) With a wide-ranging choice in modern, directional and unusual medium to high-end gifts and collectibles, (ii) the emphasis is on material, design, value addition, utility and competitive pricing. (iii) Regional crafts bring in unique local cultures, native uses, and indigenous craft techniques, with some of them blended with modern design trends to offer contemporary choices.  

[PICTURE WITH BUYERS CUM PARTNERS]

Bihar has a great scope and opportunity: - The handicrafts of Bihar (both textile based and others) can take this opportunity to showcase their handicrafts (i) either by fitting their craft-wise products in multifarious product line, in the EPCH organized IHGF Autumn & Spring Fair or (ii) fit in the Theme based pavilion as displayed by Desert Crafts of Jodhpur or North Eastern Region.

 SOURCE: -

1. Fair Directory (IHGF Delhi Fair, Autumn, 14-18 October 2018)

2. Show Bulletin, IHGF Delhi Fair Autumn 2018, 14-18 October

3. My Visit to IHGF Delhi Fair, Autumn dated October 14 & 15, 2018