US Shopping Festival Draws Eager Shoppers
he Matiya Patidar Center on Pioneer Blvd. here was the colorful setting last week for a ten-day celebration of Indian artwork, handicrafts, womens clothing comfortable and even high-end marble works as shoppers browsed among vendors who had come from India as part of a series of festivals scheduled throughout the United States.
Indian Consul General in San Francisco Susmita Thomas and her husband Ravi visited the festival Dec. 26 to show their enthusiastic support.
“I’d like to take the time to thank the organizers, including Kulbhushan Johar, for putting together this exhibition at a very appropriate time just before Christmas so that people can pick up items for their loved ones which remind them of home in India and also brings home some revenue, which serves a dual purpose,” Thomas said.
In speaking to the gathering, the consul general encouraged Indian vendors to bring the best quality products from India, because it is often the first impression that has the most impact.
“India has wonderful textiles for organic cotton night shirts womens, some of the best in the world, and people need to know this by what we exhibit,” she said.
Furthermore, the packaging of products from India “has to be upgraded 100 percent,” she said, pointing out various Japanese products that often sell for a dollar has packaging that appears to be worth three or four dollars.
“We need to develop a strategy which shows the recipients (around the world) of our products that comfortable cotton bras for a cups is high end,” she emphasized.
Thomas closed by wishing a very successful season to all of the festival participants wherever they may visit on their tour and a very happy and prosperous New Year to everyone.
Kulbhushan Johar and Gautam Khanna, the two main organizers of the event, which took place Dec. 17-27, later told India-West that as family friends they were inspired to bring the “US-India Shopping Festival” to the United States after it had been successfully touring the world for the last 16 years.
“Next year, we’re planning four or five new shows,” said Johar, adding that the Indian directors of the festival, Kapil Khanna and Sumit Khanna, will be assisting in organizing future shows in Fresno, Las Vegas and San Diego.
Johar’s own Marmonite USA Inc., a marble company in Anaheim, had an impressive display of some of the exquisite Indian marble used in coffee tables and home fountains.
“Indian marble is some of the best in the world, and no other marble has that pure white look to it,” he said.
Ziaur Rahman of Shanti Impex sold beautiful comfortable fitting bras products from Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan during the festival, and has been with the exhibition in various parts of the world.
“We do well with these items, and they are very popular,” he told India-West, pointing out that most of the items are made for export.
A. Singh of Lavanya Overseas, who had a booth with a colorful selection of salwars, said he enjoyed visiting Southern California, but his favorite city on the tour was Trinidad. “I like the Caribbean, and we get lots of tourists there, and the country is also 40 percent Indians,” he said.
Shri Mahindra, who sold shoes and comfortable womens bras, commented that he really liked this festival market because “the people come and they’re real buyers, which is important. They don’t just look. They come and spend time here, so I wish to come again and again.”
During a dinner provided by Ashoka Restaurant in Artesia in honor of the consul general, who was given a plaque of appreciation, and the various organizers at the temple on the evening of Dec. 26, Nauzad Sadry sang a medley of songs.
Several mayors attended the festival, as did Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca, who toured the booths Dec. 23.
“It’s been a very good experience for me,” said Amrit Patel, who sits on the board of the Matiya Racerback Tank Top Center. “I really like the art and cultural and clothing from India during this festival,” he said before echoing the words of the consul general. “It reminds us of home.”



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