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Coming together of Taj, kitchenware
Sunil Dutt, Member of Parliament, with the Managing Director of Z Exhibits, M. Zahid, at the unveiling of the replica of Taj Mahal, the official logo of India International Pottery and Kitchen Expo - 2002, in New Delhi on Thursday.
Pottery surely did not end up as the focus of this press conference. Nor did kitchenware figure as the topic for discussion. In the end, all the `cooking' was done by the politically right statements of actor-turned-politician Sunil Dutt, who played his gracious self by sticking to being the `perfect' father.
Dressed in his signature white kurta, Dutt was in Delhi to unveil the official logo of the forthcoming India International Pottery and Kitchen Expo-2002, and replied to most scribes' queries on Sanjay Dutt's alleged links with the underworld with commendable calm.
He was arguably at his patriotic best, speak as he did on his long associations with various national causes. But when it came to commenting on the recent tapes of Sanjay Dutt's conversations with underworld don Chhota Shakeel, he stuck to the diplomatic lines.
"What can I say? The matter is sub judice. All I want to say is that I have complete trust in the judiciary and will accept whatever judgement the court gives,'' Dutt said.
In the Capital to announce the weeklong exhibition, which takes off on October 19, Dutt was all praise for the organisers. Being described as the biggest such exhibition ever, the highlight of the event will be the venue, which will be a recreation of the Taj Mahal.
Costing a whopping Rs. 3 crore, the decision to model the venue after Taj was done after much deliberation. "The Taj has been India's window to the world. We hope that the organisers can try and get this Taj to be a permanent structure so that people get the choice to choose between the Delhi Taj and the Agra one,'' Dutt quipped.
Attempts have been made to make the recreation look as real as possible. With over 150 exhibitors from India and abroad expected to participate, the organisers are hoping to better the business ties between India and other countries through the event.
To take place at the Saket district centre, the festival has been particularly scheduled for October keeping in mind the festive season of Dusshera and Diwali.
Surprisingly, the exhibition will see only 40 local artisans or groups exhibiting their products. The organisers claim that the venue would be equipped with all adequate basic facilities like restaurants, parking, ambulance, amusement parks, washrooms and fire fighting facilities.
Well, if all goes as planned, October sure will be an exciting month for those looking forward to their share of good festive shopping.
By Lakshmi Balakrishnan
Photo: Anu Pushkarna
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