Pakistani bangles, women shine at global trade fair

Glittering lustrous bangles from Pakistan and a special women's team are attracting the maximum crowd at the on-going international trade fair in New Delhi.

The 72-member Pakistani delegation is among the 7,500 participants from various nations at the 23rd annual India International Trade Fair inaugurated by President APJ Abdul Kalam on Friday.

Among a number of international participants at the Foreign Pavilion at Pragati Maidan, the venue of the fair, 36 Pakistani stalls have become favourite for the visitors.

Men, women and children are thronging in large numbers at the Saba Traders from Karachi to buy bangles available in a wide range of designs and colours.

"We are overwhelmed by the response. Not just wholesale, but we are also doing a good retail business," said Mohammad Aquil, a busy salesman at the stall.

"Last time we came here was three years back and that time also the response was same. People here love our bangles."

Though Pakistani bangles were costlier than those available in India, it did not deter people from buying it.

Aparna Singh, a housewife and one of the customers, said: "First of all I was curious to see what kind of bangles they make. We used to watch on TV, Pakistani women wearing traditional clothes, jewellery and bangles. That curiosity brought me here."

"The stuff is really good. We don't get such designs here. It is good for the festival season. It will make me look different from others."

Not just bangles, there are about 10 shops exclusively 'for and by women.'

Muhammad Amin Khatri of The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry said 15 per cent of the Pakistani stalls were reserved for women entrepreneurs.

He said: "We want to promote women entrepreneurs. They are doing well in Pakistan and the world should know about it."

Seventeen women are part of the Pakistani delegation and about 10 shops are entirely managed by women. These stalls are selling mostly women garments and other household goods.

Rukhsana Jahangir, vice chairperson of the Standing Committee on Women Entrepreneurs, is leading the women's delegation.

Jahangir, who owns Rohi Rung Embroidery in Karachi and has put a stall at the fair, said: "There is a wrong perception about Pakistani women. We are as competitive as others. This was one reason that we brought here the women's team of entrepreneurs."

"People think Pakistani women live only in veils. But hardly five per cent women wear the burkha in Pakistan. Just like India."

Pakistani women work and think just like Indian women. They are doing well domestically, but have not been exposed much at the international forums, she said.

These stalls also gave an opportunity to Indian women customers to interact with Pakistani women. And it was not just about business, but the relationship goes far ahead. Contrary to other international stalls, one could see these women mixing up nicely due to similar language and culture.

Jahangir said: "I have made so many friends here. They have invited me and I hope to have a good time with them."

"Earlier, I was scared and thought I will go back in five days. But now I want to stay till the end of the exhibition and maybe some more time after that."

Thousands of people are visiting the fair every day. The international pavilion has participation from about 25 countries, including China, Indonesia, Thailand, Canada, the United Arab Emirates and South Africa, Russia and Iran.

The Pakistanis have come here after a gap of three years with marble, furniture, bangles, crockery, garments, spices and leather products.

But there are some hitches too.

The only means of transportation between India and Pakistan is the bus service that resumed in July this year. Air and rail services have stopped since December 2000 when Pakistan-based attacked the Indian Parliament.

The visiting delegation had to cross the Wagah border on foot and then came to Delhi by bus after seeking special permission. Their products had to be transported through ship from Karachi to Mumbai and then to Delhi.

It took a long time and many of the consignment have not yet reached Delhi.

Khatri said: "Rail service should start soon. And more visas should be issued from both sides. Otherwise all efforts would be futile."

He said in a lighter vein that women play an important role in decision-making at the house.

"That's why we have brought special women team. I hope they would convince both the governments to restore peace," he said.