GRAND KERALA SHOPPING FESTIVAL IN KANNUR

GRAND KERALA
SHOPPING FESTIVAL IN KANNUR

A cultural pageantry and various entertainment pro grammes that lasted over three hours gave splendid start to the 45 day Grand Kerala Shopping Festival at Kannur on 1st December, 2009. The opening ceremony was marked as much by the huge public participation as by the staging of the mega cultural show, befitting the occasion.
Municipal Jawahar stadium the venu of of the opening ceremony, was flooded with people who turned up to watch the state-level inauguration of the third season of the festival. The function attended by ministers, people's representatives, officials and representatives of sponsoring agencies.
The main objective of the Festival is to make kerala an international shopping destination. The Grand Kerala Shopping Festival is one of the major steps of the government to strengthen the states commercial sectors. The government planned to extend the spirit of shopping festival to production sectors as well. The government wanted to renovate market places and shopping areas in the state.
With the dream of making kerala an international shopping destination by 2012. The opening ceremony was held in the northern city of Kannur.
Around 4,700 shops in the 14 districts have registered for the festival, which will be on till January 15. The festival will prove to be good step forward in ensuring that kerala reclaimed its leadership position in the global tourism and trade map.
On purchase of products and service, consumers will get coupons from registered shops. There will be weekly draws and a mega draw'
Gold to the tune of 40 kg is an offer as prizes. The first prize is 1kg of gold each for six winners. The second prize is 500 gm of gold each for six winners. Six persons will get the weekly first prize of 10 sovereigns each. The second prize of the five sovereigns each will go to six persons. The third prize is one sovereign each for 100 winners. Federal Bank is the chief sponsor.

Prof John Kurakar