Goa was liberated in 1961, but 62 years later, Panjim does not have an exhibition centre with large grounds. The shabbiness with which fairs and exhibitions are held in the capital city, to say the least, exposes the primitive nature of our governance.
Leading up to the Chaturthi fair there was a huge crowd for booking the stalls, physically aggressive, spilling onto the streets and affecting the traffic flow. Most of the aspiring vendors were ‘outsiders’, possibly with political connections. There are many instances of booking the stalls and then sub-letting it to others at a premium price. This has been continuing year after year without improving the system, thanks to the Corporation of the City of Panaji. This is the case with almost every fair and exhibition in every major town of Goa.
Neither Panjim nor the major towns of Vasco, Margao, Mapusa and Ponda or the smaller taluka capitals have any exhibition centres. Take the case of Panjim over the years: Exhibitions and fairs ahead of festivals, purumentachem fest or those like Asturi of Lokutsav have travelled from place to place for want of a permanent and decent venue. Sometimes, exhibitions are held on the old football ground at Campal, in the compound of Kala Academy, sometimes at the ground near the swimming pool and earlier at the parade ground which is now converted into a football stadium.
Now the Kala Academy-Ferry point promenade has become the venue for the Chaturthi fair. The fair at this and other venues in the city create untold hardships to the people. There is a huge traffic congestion on the Dayanand Bandodkar Road during the days of the fair, since goods carrier vehicles are hired and parked for loading goods along the road. This creates severe hardships to the daily commuters and affects the smooth flow of traffic. This situation is also dangerous since in case of emergencies, the movement of the fire brigade and ambulances will be hindered.
By contrast, witness a venue such as the Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. Spread over 149 acres of prime land in the heart of India’s capital, Pragati Maidan offers about 61,290 sq mtrs of covered exhibition space. It is an international exhibition cum convention centre at the ITPO Complex, New Delhi. Built in 1982, the venue has restaurants, plus outdoor space, meeting rooms and a convention centre. The entire venue has 16 halls with ample parking, security, internet facilities and excellent transport facilities. It is managed by the premier trade promotion agency of the Union Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
Pragati Maidan has four air-conditioned auditoria. These are used for meetings and conferences. In addition, there are three open-air theatres which can be used for inauguration and other purposes. The Pragati Maidan exhibition complex can be used for holding buyer-seller meetings, trade fairs and exhibitions by other fair organisers, both from India and abroad. It also offers space for organising seminars/conferences/workshops on trade-related subjects.
Having a decent exhibition cum convention centre around the city of Panjim can provide several benefits and serve various purposes for the city and its residents. A decent exhibition ground can be an occasion for promoting tourism by offering Goan products attracting tourists and boosting the local economy.
It can help in cultural exchange to host cultural events, trade shows, art exhibitions, fostering cultural exchange and promoting local and regional artists and artisans.
An exhibition cum convention centre can create jobs since the place would require staff for maintenance, security and event organization – thus creating job opportunities for local residents. Taking the venue away from the city would free the city from traffic congestion and flaring tempers.
Constructing a decent exhibition centre/ground can be part of overall infrastructure development, which will enhance the city’s appeal and make it more attractive for investment and tourism. A decent exhibition cum convention centre would provide a platform for people to connect, network and exchange ideas. The venue can also provide a large exhibition ground that can host entertainment events such as concerts and festivals, while also providing recreational options for the city’s residents and tourists.
The present state of stalls with corrugated sheets and plastic sheets gives the entire city of Panjim a shabby look. The quality of products are sub-standard and of poor quality and in complete irony to the Smart City that Panjim is trying to project itself as.
In summary, a decent exhibition centre and ground on the outskirts of a city like Panjim can contribute to its economic development, cultural enrichment and overall quality of life for residents. It can serve as a multifunctional space that benefits tourism, business, culture, education and recreation in the city.
