New Delhi: The much awaited and celebrated India International Trade Fair 2016 (IITF) on Saturday, brought smiles on many elderly citizens’ faces who were facilitated with mobile cash vans for withdrawing money and a separate cash van for exchanging old currency notes. Kicked off on a rather unusual note, the gates of the mega business event was thrown open for public on Saturday morning.
Amidst the speculation of lesser footfalls this year owing to currency demonetisation, the 36th India International Trade Fair proved to be one of the best deals for students and senior citizens. Though it seemed to be a fair deal for visitors, the sellers had a mixed response for the opening day.
Arjun, a 62-year-old retired employee of Vinod Nagar Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC), was all smiles when he was offered a hassle-free service for exchanging his old currency notes at one of the mobile money exchange counters provided by Punjab National Bank near gate no. 7. He told this newspaper, “I am so happy and can’t thank the organisers and bank authorities enough for being kind and helpful in providing us with such facility,” he said.
“I was not carrying my original identity card with me and had only the photocopies of my retirement documents and ID card. The bank officials, without much adieu, accepted my request by matching my identity and tendered the new Rs 2,000 currency note,” added Mr Arjun.
Meanwhile, in order to maintain the usual footfall, the officials left no stone unturned in facilitating the general public. The India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) officials ensured that adequate footfall is maintained and in order to ensure smooth participation, the officials installed over 18 ATM machines to ease the cash crunch.
However, the pinch of currency demonetisation was felt by the sellers who are still hopeful that business will see some pickup, today being just the first day for the public. Anima Hazarika, who has a stall of jute bags, said: “It’s five days and not much has been sold. There is negligible footfall but we are hopeful that now business may spike up a little as the gates have been opened for public.”
