Pragati Maidan

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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