A four-day jewellery exhibition in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad, known for its artistic splendour and grandeur, is attracting thousands of visitors. More than 30 jewellers from across the country have displayed ornaments made of gold and precious stones like diamonds, pearls and sapphires in the show dubbed the "Great India Jewellery Show."
The visitors said the advantage of such shows was that quality ornaments could be obtained without fear of being duped. "It has a very decent collection and more importantly we don`t have to travel to Delhi, Jaipur, Mumbai or Calcutta to see the different styles which are available in these cities and the type of work that these cities have to offer," said Padmaja, a visitor. Former cricketer Mohammed Azharuddin and his actress wife Sangeeta Bijlani were the star attractions at the exhibition.
Antique patterns of jewellery, some of which are rare these days, are also on display.
India is the world`s largest consumer of ornamental gold. It imports 450 tonnes of the yellow metal every year. The show aims to bring manufacturers, retailers and customers under a single roof to boost the jewellery trade. "Well, this time the participation is mostly by the manufacturers directly where the consumers will have big savings on their shopping and purchase. This is one advantage. The second advantage is because of the festive season the jewellers this time have got heavy jewellery which is ranging from 500 rupees ($10) to 500,000 ($10,000) rupees worth of jewellery," said Sayed Zakir Ahmed, the organiser. Ahmed said the value of Indian exports had grown to $3944.88 million in the first half of the year 2000-2001 as against $3529.82 million during 1999-2000, an increase of almost 12 percent. Stall owners are happy with the response that the exhibition is eliciting. Price of items on display range from 2,000 rupees ($40) to two million rupees ($40,000). For many Indians gold and jewellery represent financial security in times of crisis. They are also emotionally attached to gold and in marriages brides are presented with ornaments. Bureau Report