THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The second edition of the Grand Kerala Shopping Festival (GKSF), billed as India’s biggest shopping event, will be kicked off on Dec. 1, 2008 in all the 14 districts of the state.
The first GKSF saw the active participation of more than 2100 institutions. This year, more than 5000 institutions are expected to participate. The festival aims at turning the state into a commercial trade hub and attracting more business opportunities.
Nearly 60 sovereigns of gold will be distributed as prizes during the one-and-a-half-month-long festival.
Besides online registration, the participants are given an option to register through SMS as well this time.
Planned during the peak of tourist season in Kerala, GKSF will promote local traditional products such as marine products, decorative items, handicrafts, consumer durables, jewelry, textiles, resorts and the ayurveda centers.
Of the total 200 million rupees earmarked in the budget for the festival, 50 million will be spent on renovating the Chalai market in Thiruvananthapuram, Broadway and Mattancherry markets in Ernakulam and Mittayi Theruvu (SM Street) in Kozhikode, all being preserved as heritage sites.
“For the successful conduct of the festival, committees have been formed with district collectors in the lead. The assistance and cooperation of the trade and industrial organizations will also be sought,” said Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, who is also in charge of tourism.
Many gift offers, including scratch and win cards, will be among the attractions to woo the customers. The special fetes held as part of GKSF will add color to the season of shopping.
The 14 districts have been divided into three zones and the number of prizes has been increased to attract more participants, according to an official statement. Draws will be held every week in these zones and 25 gold sovereigns each will be given as first prize.
The second prize will be two gold sovereigns each for three persons. The third prize of one gold sovereign each will be given to 100 people.
In addition to these prizes, there will be mega prizes. The first prize is one kg gold. The second prize of 500gm gold each will be given to nine people.
The merchants will also get prizes. The first prize is one kg gold and second prize 500gm gold. With attractive tax holidays, the government also hopes to attract NRIs.
