Numaish plans platinum year bash

It will be a trip down memory lane for many elders on Thursday when Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao releases a commemorative souvenir of the All India Industrial Exhibition (AIIE) to mark the inauguration of the platinum jubilee edition of the popular attraction that will last all of 46 days from New Year Day. A painting tracing the long journey of the exhibition from 1938 will be unveiled on the day.

To make the experience that much more memorable, the Exhibition Society has chalked out a slew of programmes that will continue all through 2015. Finance Minister Eatala Rajender, who is also president of the Society, said here on Tuesday that the government will extend full support in the development of the Exhibition Society and put in place a multi-purpose convention centre.

There will be close to 2,500 stalls and the entry fee is Rs 20 per person and is free for children below the age of five. The Exhibition Society has also developed an Exhibition App, which will provide information on all aspects from food to location of stalls to location of children who have gone missing in the crowd.

Inaugural edition stall owners to be feted

In a rare gesture, the Exhibition Society will be felicitating six stall owners who had put up stalls in the first exhibition. Anil Lahoti of Marwadi Printing Press, Dr A Narsimha, JR & Sons, Nawab Shah Alam Khan of Golconda Cigarette Factory, Shamshad Hussain, Diven Ramesh Chandra, Premji Lalji Company and SK Nizamuddin Hassan, Deccan Hat Works had set up stalls. Three senior members of the Society, who has been associated with it for five decades, Justice AC Taram Reddy, A Ranga Rao and Laxmi Narayana Rao, will also be honoured as part of the festivities.

23 lakh visitors expected

In 2014, 21 lakh people visited the exhibition. P Narotham Reddy, Secretary of the Society, says, “We are expecting 23 lakh visitors this year. Incidentally, seven hoardings are being put up apart from 30 lollipop advertising boards across the city, including at the popular tourist spot, Charminar.”

Security tightened

Nearly 35 cameras will be set up at vantage positions across the grounds while in addition to police men, 150 trained volunteers, including 25 women, will man the area. A dog squad and 75 security personnel under the ‘Watch and Ward’ project will also keep vigil Handheld devices, metal detectors and television screens will be used extensively by the Watch and Ward personnel.

Narotham Reddy said, “Last year the income from exhibition was about Rs 18-20 crore and after all expenses, Rs 11 crore was left. This year we are expecting an increase in revenue.”