The Hindu : New Delhi News : `Dilli Haat' to pitch tent in London

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jun 11, 2005

New Delhi

New Delhi

`Dilli Haat' to pitch tent in London

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: Delhi's most unique and ethnic markets, Dilli Haat, is now all set to charm London with its wares as it travels to Trafalgar Square there for a two-day exposition starting June 18.

Announcing the plan, Delhi Tourism Minister Arvinder Singh Lovely said on Friday that the exposition would also witness a series of activities to mark the occasion. Visitors will be provided with a "taste of India'' through food plazas that would be doling out delicacies from all parts of the country. Serving authentic Delhi food, the Chor Bizarre Festival will begin early on June 10 and would run up to June 20. It will have cuisine ranging from street fare to original Old Delhi delicacies such as papri chaat, bhel puri, chicken biryani, lassi and kachori-sabzi to name a few.

To draw the crowds, cultural programmes featuring songs dramas and dances would also be organised. The biggest attraction however would still be the handicrafts and handloom products, which would be showcased in hundreds at the exhibition.

Noting that the "haat'' concept was the backbone of Indian traditional bazaars, wherein the populace of an area would converge for its daily needs, the Minister said Dilli Haat has been a tremendous success and has in 11 years of its existence given a chance to about 50,000 craftsmen to display and sell their goods.

Mr Lovely, who was accompanied by the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Delhi Tourism, Ramesh Negi, at the press meet, said over 25,000 people are expected to visit the exposition. Trafalgar Square was chosen as the venue as it is an internationally known icon of London and a landmark site that gives a historic view of the country through its architecture, statues and monuments.

Stating that Delhi Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit, will inaugurate the event, the Tourism Minister said the heir to the throne, Prince Charles -- who had visited Dilli Haat last year and had expressed the desire that it be held in London -- and the Mayor of London have also been invited for the opening. Before that, Mr Lovely and the Mayor of London would address a press conference at London on June 15 in which the details of the mega event would be released.

Mr Lovely said the Dilli Haat exposition at Trafalgar Square will help showcase the project in United Kingdom and will also provide an international platform for displaying handloom and handicraft products of India. Simultaneously, the event will give people an insight into Indian food delicacies and exposure to the Indian travel and tourism industry.

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