The Hindu : New Delhi News : Capital ‘wowed’ by Lifestyle show

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Monday, Sep 24, 2007
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New Delhi

Capital ‘wowed’ by Lifestyle show

Staff Reporter

Four-day extravaganza concludes

Photo: S. Subramanium

The curtain falls:Visitors at the Hindu Metro Plus Lifestyle Show 2007 at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi on Sunday.

NEW DELHI: The four-day “Metroplus Lifestyle Show” concluded at Pragati Maidan here on Sunday with a throng of visitors clamouring to get their hands on the exotic products up for sale. According to sources, the show saw close to 40,000 visitors over four days with almost 20,000 turning up to catch the last day’s action.

“This is one of the best events I have been to, it is much better than the usual ‘gift expos’ that are organised in Pragati Maidan,” a visitor was overheard telling her companion.

The most popular stalls were the ones selling artefacts and artificial flowers from Thailand and high-end lifestyle furniture. “My friends told me about the Thailand stall and I have come to see it. But it’s sold-out and shut now,” said a disappointed visitor.

Many shoppers made a beeline to the furniture section which had a variety of seating and sleeping solutions on display. The steep price of some objects notwithstanding, several visitors were seen reaching for their chequebooks and wallets under the persistent gaze of their children.

The state-of-the-art LCD television exhibit had much to beam about as a large crowd gathered around it to take in the highlights of India’s victory over Australia in the T-20 semi final. “It must be a whole new experience to watch a match on such a screen,” said Panshul, an orthopaedic surgeon, pointing to the mammoth 54-inch LCD panel screening the match.

Unlike the usual boring family shopping experience, children were spotted having a blast as well. They were either attempting sprints on the treadmills or testing the cushioning ability of sofa-sets by jumping on them till watchful attendants politely escorted them away.

A gang of college students was seen camped next to the imitation flower stall and most youngsters of either sex strode around the hall with a flower stick in hand or one peeking out of their pocket. “This is the perfect gift because it looks pretty, doesn’t require watering and won’t wilt with age,” said media-person Nikhil Verma, adding that he was planning to buy a dozen and distribute them among prospective girl friends.

Summarily, nullifying the prohibitive implications of a limited cash-flow or the indulgent encouragement of excess wealth, all were seen having a good time.

This bodes well for an event being held for the first time in the Capital. Moreover, it promises an even better show next time around.

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