Maharashra at the India International Trade Fair 2025

Maharashra at the India International Trade Fair 2025 :
A Personal Journey Through IITF 2025  and an Invitation to Experience - Maharashtra Pavilion at Hall no.3 , Bharat Mandapam,  Pragati Maidan

Some journeys in life begin quietly, without us realising how deeply they will shape us and our lives. For me, the India International Trade Fair has been one such journey.
IITF is an epitome of glorious India becoming " Ek Bharat Shresth Bharat " under our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri.Narendra Modi's visionary leadership. 
As a young student, IITF's magnitude was sheer  magic. I still remember walking into Pragati Maidan for the first time with my brother and family, wide-eyed, excited, and mesmerised. The towering pavilions, the colours, the cultures, the crafts made every state a world of its own. I would wander through the stalls, collecting memories, stories, and sometimes a small handcrafted souvenir which was all that I could afford then. Of course that made me feel so rich, proud and connected to something magnificent, our nation.
I had never imagined then that the path ahead would lead me back here not as a young visitor, but as the Resident Commissioner of Maharashtra, entrusted with the responsibility and honour of presenting my state to the country and the world.
This year, at the inauguration of the 44th India International Trade Fair, standing beside the Hon’ble Minister for Industries, Shri.Uday Samant,  the Principal Secretary (Industries), Shri.P.Anbalgan,and the MD of MSSIDC,Shri. Vikas Pansare, I felt an emotion I cannot fully describe. It was pride, humility, nostalgia and a deep sense of gratitude all rolled into one.
Beyond doubts, the theme of “Ek Bharat: Shreshtha Bharat” resonates with  Maharashtra’s spirit.
In a year when twelve of our majestic forts received UNESCO recognition, our pavilion pays tribute to the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, from Jinji to Attock, with beautifully created miniature forts that bring history alive. It also brings out the glory of Marathi as a language which has recently received "abhijaat" status.
But the pavilion is more than just displays. It is emotion, identity and home of a vibrant, soulfully rooted, and ever-evolving Maharashtra all rolled into one.
Every corner of the Maharashtra Pavilion tells a story of our artisans, our women, our cooperatives, our tribal communities and our entrepreneurs.
So on the one hand you can experience live weaving of Paithani Sarees by  master weavers creating the timeless Paithani, a piece of Maharashtrian heritage and  on the other you can buy authentic tribal products from Shabari Naturals of our Tribal department.  Chandrapur's bamboo products will attract you just like bees which  have enabled forest communities to collect pure golden honey under MSKVIB's Madhuban Honey.
The pavillion has interesting  art forms like Banjara Art or Aajibai's timeless Godhadi,  the handstitched quilt. Interacting with artists like Ranjana Jadhav a Banjara Tribal from Beed or Ruma Godhadi Artist can be a treat.
Also, the timeless grace of khadi, made by rural women and cooperatives supported by MSKVIB will surely enthralled  you as much as the colourful kurtis. You can also get the taste of healthy food stuff as well as Maharashtra’s traditional dairy heritage with rich, pure, and nourishing gir cow ghee. For those wanting to adorn themselves there is a variety of beautiful traditional, silver and artificial jewelry. There are groups selling spices,  Kolhapuri Chappals, handcrafted footwear and decorative articles.
Every purchase you make here supports a family, strengthens a community, and keeps a tradition alive.
The State Day on November 15 is dedicated to a special cultural performance by Shashank Kalyankar and his group which will take you through a soulful journey of  Maharashtrian folk music and dance.
If you are in Delhi between November 14 and 27, I warmly invite you to step into the Maharashtra Pavilion at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan.
Come, experience Maharashtra,
its colours, grace, heritage and  innovation just like our Hon’ble Chief Minister, Shri. Devendra Fadnavis. Meet our artisans, listen to their stories, taste our flavours and carry home something handcrafted, something meaningful, something made with love just like him.
Your visit, your appreciation, and your purchases will uplift communities across Maharashtra. So please come and be a part of our story  where heritage meets innovation, and pride meets progress.
R. Vimala, IAS,
Resident Commissioner, Maharashtra
Compassionate Civil Servant and
PhD Scholar at IIT Bombay