Mall a learning experience, says Minister

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, NOV. 13. The Tourism Minister, Mr. E. Peddi Reddy, on Tuesday conceded that ``we could not provide mega attractions that could draw people from far and wide to the Great Mall of Hyderabad in a big way''.

``We could not keep as many things as the people expected them to be there. There was displeasure among them about it,'' he said at a press conference here on the eve of the month-long shopping festival coming to an end on Wednesday.

But, he termed the mall as a great success and learning experience. ``The response from the general public has been mixed. This time around, we will plan it more systematically and address all the lacunae. It will be a great success in the long run,'' he exuded confidence.

Mr. Gautam Mukerjea, Head, Ogilvy Live, event managers of the royal shopping adventure, said a platform had been created for the shopping festival to grow from here ``though losses ran into several crores of rupees and we losing out on international participation owing to the September 11 terrorist attacks which affected the quality of shopping''.

Further elaborating on the drawbacks of the festival, the Tourism Minister said the State Government should have approached other countries and States on its own. ``We had left the job to the event managers and they had little reach here. And very little time too,'' he reasoned, adding that confirmation of participation should be done at least six months in advance. Transportation was another grey area, more so with the APSRTC employees going on an indefinite strike.

The mall, he said, was more an avenue for display of ware, not a purchasing point. ``Such malls become successful not merely by tax exemptions and discounts, but by making shopping a wholesome experience''. He said a team of officials would be sent to the forthcoming Dubai shopping festival to study its various aspects closely.

On criticism that the Government had ``wasted public money'' on the mall, he clarified that not even a single paisa of public money or anything from the budgetary allocations was spent by them. ``Only roads were laid at the National Academy of Construction, which was being developed on the lines of Delhi's Pragati maidan where a series of events like the shopping festival can be held,'' he said.

He commended Ogilvy Live for ``bravely'' going ahead with the venture and grounding a ``great event in the City's cultural calendar'' despite the heavy odds such as the September 11 attacks and several international participants backing out in the eleventh hour.

Asked whether the same event management company would be persisted with for the next edition of the shopping mall, Mr. Reddy said it was too early to decide. ``Ours has been a one year contract. There is no binding on them or us to continue. Whether we are there or not, the great shopping mall will be there. Let's wait and see,'' he rounded off.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Southern States
Previous : Denture extracted from lungs
Next     : Child Rights Convention week inauguration today