IITF 2025 concludes with record footfall, awards

Anshita mehra

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 27

The curtains came down on the 44th edition of the India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2025 at Bharat Mandapam on Thursday, drawing massive crowds as thousands of visitors thronged the venue to grab last-day discounts and offers. The vibrant closing day was marked not only by a heavy shopping rush but also by a colourful award ceremony recognising the most outstanding pavilions across multiple categories.

Priya, a visitor accompanied by her mother, summed up the mood of the crowd as she navigated the bustling lanes of the fair. “Although the last day has a lot of crowd, I always try to make it to the final day to snatch up last-minute deals before the traders leave,” she said, echoing the sentiment of many bargain hunters soaking in their final hours at the trade event.

Another visitor, Manu, added, “My family and I have made it a tradition to come here on the first and last day, to get all the deals we missed earlier and also to enjoy visiting numerous pavilions.”

Later in the day, an award ceremony was held to mark the successful conclusion of the fair.

In his address, Neeraj Kharwal, IAS, Managing Director of ITPO, said over 18 lakh people visited the 14-day event this year.

Inviting suggestions for future editions, he said the 2025 theme, “Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat”, had come alive through cutting-edge technology, innovative pavilions, agricultural advancements and displays highlighting sustainability and culture. “We witnessed resilience, creativity and the limitless potential of India,” Kharwal remarked.

The ceremony was attended by dignitaries including Vinay Kumar, Chairman of the Airports Authority of India; Premjit Lal, Executive Director, ITPO; Lt Col. Harsh Kondilya, OSD, ITPO; and SN Bharti, General Manager, ITP. Welcoming the gathering, Lt Col. Kondilya said a substantial amount of business had been generated during this year’s fair.

The IITF 2025 Awards for Excellence in Display recognised outstanding participation across multiple pavilion categories. Rajasthan won the gold medal in the Partner State category, followed by Bihar with silver and Uttar Pradesh with bronze, while Maharashtra received a special commendation. In the Focus State category, Jharkhand earned the gold medal.

Among states and union territories, Odisha bagged gold, Madhya Pradesh won silver and Puducherry received bronze, with commendations going to Delhi, Goa and Karnataka.

In Thematic State Presentations, Meghalaya won gold, followed by Kerala (silver) and Andhra Pradesh (bronze), while Chhattisgarh, Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura were commended.

Under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan segment, Haryana won gold, Punjab silver, and Assam bronze, with commendations for Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Uttarakhand and Tamil Nadu.

In the Foreign Pavilion category, Thailand received the gold medal, Iran silver and Dubai bronze, while South Korea, Turkey and the Tibetan Chamber of Commerce earned special commendations.

Among Ministries and Government Departments, the Ministry of Defence secured gold, followed by the Ministry of Mines (silver) and the Ministry of Railways (bronze).