BRIEF NOTE ON GWALIOR TRADE FAIR Started in 1905, the Gwalior trade fair, presently called the Shrimant Madhav Rao Schindia Vyapar Mela, is a legacy of late Maharaja of Gwalior, Shrimant Madhav Rao Scindia (First). Over the decades, it has evolved from a traditional animal village mela into an enormous commercial hub for trade in a vast range of industrial products and crafts. The colourful and vibrant annual extravaganaza, the Gwalior Trade Fair is held annually from 1st January to 7th February. Presently, it is organized by Gwalior Trade Fair Authority, constituted under an enactment of Madhya Pradesh government, called as “Gwalior Vyapar Mela Adhiniyam, 1996” which came into force from 30th Devember 1996. The fair is held on a vast ground, i.e. 104 acore of land with pucca roads and parking lots of each entry. There are about 2500 kachcha/pucca shops, plate-forms for businessmen. The ground is divided sector-wise, like Electronic, Luggage, Gurniture, Grocery, Ready made garments, Toys, Automoblie etc. Major industrial houses, like soni, Woril Pool, LG, Honda, Mahendra and Mahendra, Bajaj, Maruti Suzki, TVS, Hero Honda, Toyata, Surya Roshni Ltd., Kelvinator, Bush, AIWA, National Panaconic, M/S Bil, India LTd., ONIDA, Samsung, Rangs (Luggage Sector), M/S Grasim Industries Ltd, To name just a few have put up magnificent pavilions at the fair. A hall, called as ‘Kala Mandir’ with sitting capacity of 1000 and an open auditorium with sitting capacity of about 6/7 thousand are also there for holding cultural progammes, like performance of film stars, folk dances ans songs, dramas, kavi sammelans, musairas, etc. Almost all the states in the country held their exhibitions. The premises is situated at Race Course Road, Just about-2 kilo metres distance form Railway Station and Bus Stand. Gwalior is situated just 231 Kilo Metres form Delhi down Agra-Mumbai highway Trains running north-south and some on the Delhi-Mumbai routes pass through Gwalior. Bus facility is available to and for everywhere. Since 1905, the Gwalior Mela has shown immense popularty not only amongst traders, businessmen, entrepreneurs and companies in india but also with multi national companies. It has celebrated its silver ans golden jubilees in 1967-68 and 1982-83 The fair has completed its hundredth year in 2005 when ‘Shatabdi Year’ was also celebrated. Loking to its popularty and attraction it was declared a part of the State Level Trade Fair on 23rd August 1984. Following this, the State Government allowed 50% rebate on the sale’s tax and entry tax in the fair. This resulted gradually increase in the turn-over of the fair form 85 crores in 1983-84 to 350 crores by 2000-2001. The businessmen and the buyers also benefited form this facility. The facility made the more popular and attractive. But from 2001-2002 the said facility was discontinued the disadvantage of businessmen as wall as buyers both. This lost the popularty and attraction whice it gained previously. The state of art Export Facilitation Centre adds extra appeal for the traders and promoters to participate in the Mela. The project was sanctioned by the Govt. of india to cost Rs. 3 crores, with its seare of Govt./GTFA. The total expenditure incurred was about 4.16 crores. Above the G/I share, the rast amount was incurred by the GTFA. In 2008, with the co-ordination of the MPLUN, an intermational buyers-sellers meet was arrangd and an Investore’meet was also arranged by the State Govt. From time to time, the business extablishment often used this center for holding their meetings. Our rich heritate of handicrafts is also laid out in the emporiacalled ‘Shilp Bazar’, whivch consists about 63 permanent pucca shops for the craftsmen participating form all over India. Bsides, there is a wide veriety of amusements/ entertainments, such as national lavel types of ‘jhulas’, circus, childern’s train, magic shows etc. attracting large crowde. Traditional wrestling competitions are also arranged in the fair, in which ladies also participate. The is a great attration, booth to rural and urban population. State lavel kisan and cattle fair is also a great attraction to rural population of the area and round about, which is held simultaneously in a separate ground earmarkd for this purpose. The is a real blessing for the farming community. From the thriving surrounding countryside, as well adjoining districts of other states, more than 50 lacs people visit the Mela. Tradition and modernity meet in an immense upsurge of commerc. A new rural elit enriched by the massive inputs irrigation, modern agricultural and technology, carvjng for the good things of lige and with the money to buy them. An untapped market with hard case, minimal exposure to consumer drables and itching to spend. FACILITIES PROVIDED :  Ambulance and medical care.  Banks ATMs.  Business Information Centre.  Central Control Room.  Fir Service Station.  General Security.  Hoarding sites.  Radio announcement.  Trade Information Center.  Press Center  Restaurants.  Adequate facility for physically disabled.  Free entry. And so on. Development works-during last 7/8 years:  Administrative Office bulding with conference hall.  Overhead tank  WVM and Tar Roads.  200 New shops constructed.  Entry gate constructed.  Two new gardens developed  Two new ‘Sulabh Complex’  New Toilet blocks,  New automolibe sector. ……………….