GIF2024 targets 150,000 visitors
Ganabatirau (centre) inaugurated the Global Indian Festival 2024, which is expected to attract the interest of the Indian community but also Malays, Chinese and foreign tourists. - BERNAMA photo
April 12, 2024 06:30 MYT
GIF2024 targets 150,000 visitors
KUALA LUMPUR: The Global Indian Festival 2024 (GIF 2024) which is being organized for the 19th time is targeting 150,000 visitors.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Agenda Suria Communication Sdn Bhd as the organizer of the carnival Jaggarao Simancha said the exhibition which starts from Wednesday to Sunday aims to make Malaysia a hub to promote Indian culture in the region.
"If we look at this exhibition, since 2003, the average attendance of visitors is approximately five million people, while the number of traders reaches 3,000 people. In fact, this festival not only attracts the interest of the Indian community but also Malays, Chinese and foreign tourists.
"This exhibition not only aims to showcase the culture of the Indian community (such as clothing, food and dance) but also provides a platform for traders from various backgrounds, including the Indian community and other nationalities to earn a living," he said.
He said this when met after the GIF 2024 inauguration ceremony officiated by Klang Member of Parliament V. Ganabatirau at a shopping center here on Thursday.
At this year's festival, in addition to providing various interesting activities, this event also saw the participation of more than 120 vendors offering various types of clothing and various foods.
For Ismail Khan Ahmad Khan, 69, he is excited to be able to visit this festival because apart from selling items at cheap prices, it also has its own uniqueness.
"I do come to this exhibition every year. If we look at the items that are sold, they are cheap and the designs of their clothes are unique and change every year.
"At the same time, I can also get to know the culture of the Indian community more closely," he said.
Meanwhile for Indian citizen woman, Nisha Tated, 49, she admits that exhibitions like this somewhat cure her longing for the country of her birth.
"I feel like I'm in Little India when I come to this festival. I see a lot of Indian society, food like panipuri and sweets similar to those in India. I like it," he said, who works as a Hindi teacher.
-- BERNAMA
