Want to view ‘Taj Mahal’ without going all the way to Agra?
Visit Swapnanagari in the city, where a stunning replica of the white marble mausoleum, built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, will be one of the major attractions of the all-India trade fair and exhibition being organised by the Kozhikode Corporation as part of its golden jubilee celebrations, said Mayor A.K. Premajam.
Addressing a press conference along with the Corporation councillors here on Tuesday, Ms. Premajam said the 45-day event beginning from April 3 will be an exhibition-cum-trade fair comprising separate segments for health, education, agriculture and industry besides offering a variety of entertainment possibilities.
Special efforts “We have taken special efforts to make this year’s event particularly attractive as it coincides with the golden jubilee of the Corporation,” said Ms. Premajam.
The fair showcasing a number of foreign and Indian products will have around 150 air-conditioned commercial stalls in addition to exhibition pavilions by all the major public sector and government undertakings.
Indian Railways, Reserve Bank of India, Regional Science Centre and Planetarium, Indian Space Research Organisation, Medical College Kozhikode, KSEB, Water Authority and Usha School of Athletics will be some among them, said C.P. Musafar Ahammed, secretary of the exhibition committee.
An amusement park featuring some of the most sophisticated devices for entertainment will also have an ‘Ice-walk’ facility besides rides and wheels for children. An open-air theatre with a capacity of 500 people will be the venue of cultural programmes daily.
The Mayor, who promised enough parking spaces for all the vehicles arriving at Swapnanagari said efforts were also afoot to ply day-and-night bus service through the Mini-Bypass during the one-and-a-half month of the fair.
The visitors can opt to visit the replica of Taj Mahal alone for a special fee while the total entry fee, including for the exhibitions and for the Taj. is Rs.50.
“Special discounts will be given for school students at the fair,” said the Mayor, who maintained that a substantial share of the profit from the event would be spent on different charitable activities.
Writer U.A. Khadar will open the fair at 6 p.m. on Thursday. Film actor Sudheesh will be the chief guest.
District Collector C.A. Latha and City Police Commissioner A.V. George, among others, will attend the function.
