Gurgaon plans shopping carnival

The millennium’s first recession is just ending, and Millennium City already has a spending boom planned out, reports Sanjeev K Ahuja.

The millennium’s first recession is just ending, and Millennium City already has a spending boom planned out.

From February 24 to March 14 next year, Gurgaon will host a mega shopping festival on the lines of the annual Dubai Shopping Carnival.

Besides establishing the city of malls and MNCs as a shoppers’ paradise, the 19-day Gurgaon Shopping Festival will promote it as a global brand.

The event will offer shoppers from not only India but also abroad a high level of entertainment with fashion shows, cultural events and live performances by Bollywood stars, TV actors and folk artistes.

During the festival, the city roads will be decorated with giant entrance arches.

Malls and hotels will be decked up with colourful flags and lights to rouse the festive spirit.

Haryana Tourism and Haryana Travel Mart have joined hands with Hindustan Times for the event.

“The objective of organising the festival is to promote Gurgaon as one of the world’s most modern and progressive townships and India’s foremost shopping destination. The festival will introduce the best shopping deals from a wide range of brands and retailers, showcase handicrafts of Haryana and promote cuisines from around India and the world. The festival will be a preamble to the shopping festival to be held during the Commonwealth Games 2010 in Delhi-NCR,” Gurgaon deputy commissioner RK Kataria said.

Kataria said that the festival will be among the biggest of its kind in India, with great deals, shopping offers and fabulous prizes for shoppers. A weekly bumper draw and a jackpot are expected to entice shoppers to the festival. The festival will also be used to promote Gurgaon as an ideal real estate market.

“Nowhere has such a festival been organised till now. We invite the people of Gurgaon to suggest a logo and also a name for the fest,” said Kataria.

The DC said a presentation about the festival will be made before potential stake holders on December 3. The principal sponsors and organisers will be finalised by December 20.