38th Agriculture and Industrial Exhibition in Nizamabad

As the sun goes down every evening, all roads in the town lead to the sprawling Government Polytechnic College’s ground on Armoor road, where the 38th Agriculture and Industrial Exhibition of Nizamabad has been open since April 7. Featuring several attractions including an amusement park, it has become children’s favourite spot for recreation during the summer.

Traders and businessmen from across the country have set up stalls to sell their wares at the exhibition. The products vary from clothes and dress materials to crockery and fancy items. A food court offering north and south Indian dishes, chats, mirchi bajji, papads and juice centre has been satisfying the visitors’ taste buds.Established in 1967, the exhibition society headed by Joint Collector as chairman, organises the exhibition every year, except during election years as the college is used to store election material and EVMs. The society provides drinking water, electricity and other facilities for traders and visitors during the exhibition, which generally lasts for 40 days to 50 days.

The number of stalls and visitors has been increasing every year, but the society does not have any piece of land for a permanent establishment. Initially, the exhibition was held at the Khaleelwadi ground before it was moved to the polytechnic ground.According to Bantu Rajeswar, general secretary of the society, as many as 250 stalls, beside 15 amusement rides including giant wheel, break dance, Columbus, air toys and toy trains, were set up this year.

The exhibition has between 3,000 and 4,000 visitors a day, while on Sundays, the crowd is around 6,000, he says.While it started on a dull note, the exhibition has picked up pace. Despite the heat, people have been arriving in large numbers seeking a change from their daily routine. The entry ticket has been priced at 15 and the exhibition is open between 6 p.m. and 10.30 p.m.People from far off villages have also been visiting the exhibition since it is the only one outside Hyderabad in the State, Mr. Rajeswar said.