In defence of Indian trade exhibition

THE EDITOR: I write to publicly condemn the statement made by the alleged, “Association of Importers” on Page 8 of  the Newsday, July 29. This is the first time that I have heard of this group, and one is tempted to inquire why they did not surface during the powerful trade exhibition mounted by the Confederation of Indian Industries in collaboration with the Indian High Commission. I am not aware of the economic gains by exhibitors as attributed in the article. This was the first time that such an exhibition attracted as many as 90,000 patrons. If it was fake or designed to fake the very intelligent Trinidad and Tobago consumer, that quantum of patrons would not have wasted their time to visit it several times during its ten-day tenure. Patrons representative of the  social strata and economic well-being visited.

What the exhibition aspired to demonstrate to the public is that quality goods and services at very competitive prices are available from India. Additionally, the exhibition was not only a commercial enterprise, but rather it attempted to showcase  the indigenous clothing, jewelry, household items and furniture that are produced by the excellent and professional craftsmen of India. I view this initiative as not an economic venture, but rather it was a display of goodwill to all our peoples. More than that, the exhibition sought to continue the social, cultural, economic and business links between Trinidad and Tobago and India. It sought to justify the new mantra that we live in the era of globalisation.

I am sure that the national citizenry would  welcome a repetition of this exhibition. I wish to commend the Indian High Commission and the Confederation of Indian Industries for such an initiative. I humbly suggest that this was more of a cultural presentation, and that it must be inserted on our yearly agenda. Our consuming public would certainly welcome this as it will provide the opportunity to enhance the rich cultural strengths of India. It was an educational experience on India.

COUNCILLOR PARAS RAMOUTAR
Caparo