Come January, and Chennaiites are loaded with events which keep them engaged. After the four-day Pongal fest, the much enjoyed Pongal Trade Fair is held for almost two months and people, young and old, make a beeline to Island Grounds, Chennai, that is spread over a sprawling area.
You find many separate stalls which display the different exhibits of various departments and sectors. The science exhibition gives us much information regarding geothermal plant, scientific research, medicinal use, chemical laboratory test and displays many books regarding science. There are good demonstrations to explain the exhibits.
The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments department amazed the visitors with their beautiful statues of several gods which were decorated with costume jewellery and colourful paint.
Display of boards, large plastic banners, project works, models were exhibited by the department that deals with fighting pollution. Many people indulged in selling their own products (like tea, coffee, snacks and handloom clothes) inside the department of backward communities stall.
TAHDCO scheme for the welfare of Adi Dravidars and tribal people was displayed in the department for Adi Dravidar and tribal welfare.
The animal husbandry and agriculture department exhibits modern machineries and new trends for the cultivation of crops. These exhibits easily attract the people and are admirable.
The exhibited works of some other important departments like fisheries, metro water, infotech, industries, sports and youth welfare, revenue, port of Chennai, cooperatives, Tamil Nadu electricity board, etc., attract the attention of the visitors and create awareness among them.
Not only these exhibits but also fancy items like household materials are available in another part of the trade fair. People can enjoy different kinds of eatables like sweets crisp bajjis, hot pakoras, milaga bhajji and sugarcane juice. There is a huge ground where children and elders can enjoy rides, including on the giant wheel. There lies a separate department called seafood court selling different kinds of seafood like prawn briyani, fish briyani, etc.
Many stage programmes, especially traditional shows like villupattu and drama, are conducted in the evening. It’s entertainment, fun, enjoyment, heritage, culture, education all rolled into one at the Trade Fair.
J Chitra
M Deivanai
A.Divya
K Marithuraichi, E Deula
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