Chandigarh hosts exclusive 'Made in Pakistan' fair

Chandigarh, Jan 13(ANI): The much talked about 'Made in Pakistan' fair was recently held in Chandigarh. It was the first ever-exclusive show from Pakistan and was aimed at improving trade ties and people to people contacts between India and Pakistan.

Organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (Northern Region), the five-day expo provided an opportunity to over 40 companies from across the border to exhibit their products ranging from garments, paintings, shoes, crockery and other decorative items.

The fair saw a packed house with visitors curious to check out the goodies, and traders from Pakistan also seemed upbeat about such opportunities being provided by India.

"There are many benefits of trade between India and Pakistan. Being neighbours, the freight and transport cost is very low. We import many such items from overseas that we can easily get from India and likewise India can import good from Pakistan, which will benefit India greatly. We want this trade between the two countries to increase and the platform that India has provided us here in the fair, we will try to do the same for India in Pakistan and to do it political atmosphere and friendship is necessary," said Pravesh Bande, leader of the 'Made in Pakistan' delegation.

The fair also had sumptuous and mouth-watering cuisine of Pakistan, and the hardest to resist were the kababs, tikkas and haleem provided by the famous 'Warsi Food' of Karachi.

"People are reminded about Pakistan when they taste our food. Pakistani food is very good and tasty. We feel very happy. I believe that people of both countries love each other and that's why we bring food here every year," said Nadeem Ahmed, owner of Warsi Foods.

Ratandeep Singh, a visitor from Mohali, said: "It was really good, obviously because families, being from Pakistan, and we have attachment with Pakistan, and in this sort of things, you actually get to eat. We have heard about Pakistani food, Pakistani dresses and other stuff they produce, but these sort of things actually give us a chance to see them and taste them and what else can you ask for."

Food, music and culture - there are many commonalities between India and Pakistan, and if bilateral relations between the two countries strengthen, Punjab will get the utmost advantage. By Sunil Sharma (ANI)