‘After shooting an action scene, Mahesh Babu often takes a foot massage,’ declares an electronic foot-massage seller as he tries to sell his product at the second edition of Visakhapatnam International Trade Fair by Gupta Event Management. It is being held at the Andhra University Grounds. The fair has a fair representation of people and products from across the country and from a few countries abroad too.
Ahmad Zubair Khanjari from Afghanistan is visiting the city for the first time. His family has been selling almonds, mulberry, pista and fig in India from the last four years. They ship the stock to Kolkata and Delhi. From there it’s shipped to other cities via road transport. He says, “In each visit we sell at least 500-kilograms of dry fruits in India. Out of which more than 300 kilograms is sold in North India.”
Kaw P from Sukhothai, Thailand, has been selling balms from the past three years. Most of the year they do their business in China; in India they spend about two months each year. The balms are made with herbs like cassumunar ginger, curcuma aromatica root and others, and Kaw assures his customers that each has a different purpose. The red one is made of bird’eye chili oil and other herbs and claims to cure cold and improve blood circulation. They cost ₹150 for 10 grams. He says there is a big demand for balms in India!
Mohammed Imran from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh sells ceramic cups and mugs. He is a chatty guy and cheerfully states, “Our prices are already low. But people like to bargain in fairs. If they buy more than a set of six cups I give discount of ₹20-30.”A set of six teacups with unique designs costs about ₹200. Apart from teacups, there is other crockery and colourful home décor items.
The exhibition circuit-favourites such as carpets and shawls from Kashmir and the sesame seed and jaggery sweet Gajjak from Rajasthan also make their presence felt here.
Some city-based entrepreneurs have also taken the opportunity to showcase their products such as S. Dilip. He sells home made chocolates and even serves hot chocolate in a cup and saucer made of chocolate. “I like to experiment with food. From chocolate Ganesha to pictures of people on a biscuit, I can make anything. ” says the owner of Mr Chocomate (Kranthi Nagar, MVP Colony). Kids throng his store and help themselves to chocolates of all shapes and sizes.
Nuthalapti Sandhya, 31 says, “I attended the fair last year as well. I like to visit the fair each year. I find the variety and pricing worth it. ”
