Barricades block Numaish entrance

Hyderabad: While an outing to the Numaish is definitely exciting, reaching the gates of the exhibition is a downer.

Metro barricades, fewer parking spaces and hawkers are adding more chaos to the already congested Mukkaram Jahi Road.

This year, with the Hyderabad Metro work going on, the barricades have decreased road space and the crowds make matters worse.

Not just congestion on the road, but also the allotment of parking spaces, which has been an issue every year, has seen no change for the better.

Members of the Exhibition Society informed that they have written to the concerned authorities for allotment of more space for parking.

“The BJP office, Gandhi Bhavan area which is a government land, Nampally Junior College, outside the Ajanta Gate and more have been approached for more parking space. We are also planning to clear a few warehouse sheds and are requesting them to allot the same for parking,” said Yasar Arafat, convener, Exhibition Society.

The Exhibition Society has fixed the parking fees at Rs 10 for two-wheelers and Rs 20 for four-wheelers. Whereas the Housing Board authorities (private), who have paid Rs 16 lakh for 45 days as parking charge, will charge visitors Rs 50 for two-wheelers and Rs 100 for four-wheelers.

“That is a private body and we do not have authority over it. They set their own price. We have had talks with the mayor to provide us some parking facilities along the street, which are to be finalised by the end of the week. We will locate some more areas on the Mukkaram Jahi Road,” said Ashwin Margam, secretary, Exhibition Society.

The Exhibition Society also informed that the HMR had promised to remove all barricades and obstructions by Thursday night to facilitate easy movement of traffic.

“They will also clear the area by Thursday evening. The pillar work is over and the remaining work will start after some time,” said Margam.

The traffic restrictions will however be applicable till the end of the Numaish from 4 pm  to midnight on roads leading towards the Exhibition Grounds at Nampally.

RTC buses, private buses, and heavy vehicles heading towards the MJ Market from Siddiamber Bazar and Jambagh Road and intending to go towards Nampally will be diverted towards Abids at MJ market junction.

Heavy vehicles coming from the Police Control Room, Fateh Maidan, and intending to go towards Nampally and MJ Market will be diverted at the AR Petrol Pump towards the BJR Statue.

In 74 years, numaish saw 3 generations of sellers

Hyderabad: Numaish is celebrating its 74th year.

Many stalls at the Numaish have been part of this Hyderabadi annual tradition since its inception. There were just 100 stalls at the Public Garden then.

Today, the descendants of those stall owners still bring their ethnic goods to sell in one of the 2,500 stalls that are set up every year. Some 350 stalls are run by people from Kash-mir, another 400 from UP and 250 from Bihar.

Among the famous ones are the Kaul Brothers from Kashmir, who have been an integral part of the Numaish for over seven decades now. They sell Kashmiri shawls, dry fruits, the famous Kashmiri honey, and jewellery.

“I remember how my father and grandfather used to stock up and travel with four truckloads of goods. When we started,  there were barely about a 100 stalls and ours was the only Kashmiri stall. He also wanted to click a photo with Jawaharlal Nehru, which didn’t happen,” said Surender Kaul, owner of Canaud House.

Ranjit Kaushik, owner of a Lucknawi stall says, “My grandfather was asked to come to Hyderabad and display the trademark chikankari fabrics here. Since then, we have never missed Numaish. Hyderabad and Lucknow are so similar that we always feel at home,” he said.

He says Kashmiri honey is the best because the bees are reared on saffron plants. "Hyderabad is our biggest market. We only come to Hyderabad and do not sell in other cities," he adds.

His brother Dileep Kaul takes care of the clothing items. "Women here love our shawls, dresses and saris. They appreciate the designs. Every year we get a huge response, especially for the saris. We try to innovate every year," Dileep Kaul says.

Ranjith Kaushik, owner of a Lucknawi stall has photographs of the family stall in the 1970s and 1980s.

“My grandfather was asked to come to Hyderabad and display the trademark chikankari fabrics here. It was a matter of pride for us as we could bring the essential Lucknow culture to Hyderabad. Since then, we have never missed Numaish. Hyderabad and Lucknow are so similar in their food, culture and even people. We always feel at home," Ranjith Kaushik said.