Trading love from across the border

Forging new ties and strengthening old ones with Pakistan is the main aim of the “Made in Pakistan” fair held annually in Chandigarh for the past three years by the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII).

This year’s fair, from March 22 to 26, was no exception.

There is already a little bit of Pakistan in several homes in Chandigarh and around Punjab and Haryana, from people’s visits to the previous two fairs.

Not many have forgotten the taste of lip-smacking Pakistani dishes at the food courts at these fairs.

“I bought decoration pieces made out of onyx, which is otherwise hard to find in the city.Pakistani clothes with their typical embroidery are also something to look forward to at the fair. My husband relishes mutton dishes each year for their trademark spices,” said Amarjot Kaur, a Chandigarh resident who is a regular at the fair.

Apart from promoting people-to-people contact, the fair, held at Himachal Bhawan, showcased the best of Pakistan’s culture with display of products like garments, footwear, handicraft, onyx, furniture and gemstones.

Food courts serving Pakistan cuisines were, as usual, a big draw.

A total of 65 companies set up 70 stalls and four food courts.

CII director Nitin Peshawarya said, “We started this fair in 2006 and the growth has increased three times since then. This event serves as an ideal platform to strengthen trade and business ties between the two nations.”

Khurshid Barlas, member of Pakistan’s Chamber of Commerce and Industries said, “What CII started in 2006 was not only for trade purposes, but the main aim was to send a message of love.

We have lot of potential, we just need to explore ourselves and that will be possible only with the help of each other.”

– Samiksha Chauhan, TNN