Over the last few years, industrial trade fairs have been transformed into knowledge disseminating centres to explain the various government schemes and initiatives to improve the livelihood of downtrodden, said State Finance Minister K. Anbazhagan on the last day of 36{+t}{+h} India Tourist and Industrial Fair here on Sunday.
Giving away awards to nearly 90 participants under 22 categories at the Island Grounds, he said that till recently, industrial trade fairs were considered as a mere meeting venue and entertainment hub for public. But this year, it enabled people to exchange soiled or torn notes, get birth and death certificates, test the quality of water, undergo health check-up and buy temple prasadams among other things.
The fair inaugurated by Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on December 22 attracted over 17 lakh people, netted revenue of Rs.4.46 crore and profit of Rs.2.07 crore.
The outstanding pavilion award was bagged by Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department and outstanding service award was secured by Chennai Metropolitan Transport Corporation Ltd.
Summer Fest
“Over 17 lakh people visited the fair and got themselves enriched about the government schemes and ongoing initiatives. The rise in revenue over the last few years is a testimony to this,” Mr. Anbazhagan said. He also released a cookery handbook prepared by Social Welfare Department under the guidance of Chef K. Damodaran.
Enthused by good response for the 83-day trade fair, the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) will organise a ‘Summer Fest 2010' for 45 days from April 15 onwards, said Tourism Secretary V. Irai Anbu.
In his address, Mayor M. Subramaniam said “very soon Chennai will be transformed into an attractive destination for tourists. More and more people have started visiting Chennai to see the new State Secretariat, beautification of Marina beach and wall paintings.”
State Tourism Minister N. Suresh Rajan said that they were able to earn an additional profit of Rs.50 lakh this year as compared to last year.
