Pragati Maidan

About Pragati Maidan:

• It is one of the biggest exhibition centers in India.
• Location: New Delhi.
• History:
  • It was inaugurated on 3 November 1972 by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
  • The first show which took place here was the ASIA 72 TRADE SHOW – to celebrate 25 years of India’s Independence. 
• It is owned, operated, controlled and managed by India Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO), the trade promotion agency of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Govt. of India.
• It hosts over 70 national and international exhibitions annually, with the largest being the India International Trade Fair.
• Features:
  • It is a huge complex of buildings, covering over 150 acres (0.61 km2) sprinkled with many lawns, overlooking the historic Purana Qila.
  • The complex houses many pavilions like the Nehru Pavilion, the Defence Pavilion, the Indira Pavilion, and the Son of India Pavilion.
  • It also has an auditorium where rock shows and plays are held quite frequently. 
  • The complex houses 18 exhibition halls, several buildings, eateries, performance spaces and compounds, including headquarters of the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO).

Key facts about Purana Qila:

• Location:
  • It is located on the South Eastern part of the present city of New Delhi. 
  • It is one of the oldest forts in Delhi and built on the banks of river Yamuna.
• The present citadel at Purana Qila started its construction in the reign of  Humayun and was completed by Sher Shah Suri (‘The Lion King’).
• The Qila was inspired by Jama Masjid, which was established 15 years before the reconstruction of Qila.
• Architecture:
  • It is rectangular in shape and is spread over an area of 1.5 kilometers. 
  • Another amazing feature of the Purana Qila are the three gates that are a display of a happy blend of Hindu and Muslim styles of architecture. – Bara Darwaza or the Big Gate facing west, the Humayun Gate facing south, and the Talaqqi Gate, which is often referred to as the forbidden gate.
  • All of the gates are double-storeyed and comprise of huge semi-circular bastions flanking either of their sides.

Q1) What is the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO)?

India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) is the premier trade promotion agency of India, provides a broad spectrum of services to trade and industry and acts as a catalyst for growth of India’s trade.

Source: Authorities demolish shanties near Delhi’s Pragati Maidan

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