The best part of Expo is to connect people, build business and make the future better
In downtown Dubai, Shanu (renamed), an Indian deliveryman working in a restaurant was asked to deliver food on the 35th floor of a building. At that time, a fire drill was in progress and the elevator could not run.
Sanu waited for a while, then took the stairs to the 35th floor of the building to perform his duties. When the shocked customer asked why it was so troublesome, Sanu simply replied: "Madam, this is Dubai. Work is the first."
With this deep-rooted and strong work culture, Expo 2020 Dubai is bound to be a success. People must fully praise the UAE for being able to host one of the world’s largest events during the worst of the pandemic.
While other major events such as the Indian Premier League (IPL) Cricket, T-20 Cricket World Cup, and DP World Tour Championship have also been successfully held in the UAE, hosting the World Expo is the icing on the cake. Despite the huge coronavirus challenge, the UAE still ensures that the 2020 Dubai Expo will not be postponed for more than one year.
The political significance of the Expo to the region is enormous. This is the first World Expo held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia in more than 150 years of history.
Expo 2020 Dubai provides ample evidence that the 192 participating countries are fascinated by what artificial intelligence (AI) can and will do in the future. At the same time, visiting the best exhibition halls tells us how we humans have a strong charm of life and live in the past civilization.
The India Pavilion is one of the most visited pavilions, second only to the host UAE and Saudi Arabia. It showcases Ayurveda, yoga, past architectural miracles and their achievements in space science. The Ram Temple and the Kashvishwanath Corridor under construction in Ayodhya, the two darlings of the Modi government were also displayed.
The LED screen displays the diplomatic affairs between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and world leaders. From the Taj Mahal to the Ganges Ghat in Varanasi, the overall themes displayed everywhere are many aspects of Indian cultural characteristics.
In the UAE, there is a strong Indian community of 3.5 million, so it is no surprise that 500,000 tourists have already visited the India Pavilion.
Fabio Riccierdi, a teacher from a small village in Italy, told Gulf News, “The India Pavilion gives people a kind of'Indian essence'. I am very impressed by being here.”
Shehar Kapoor, an Indian film producer who was filming the founding father of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, said aptly: "This is a place of discovery."
This four-story pavilion covers an area of 1.2 acres and was designed by Indian architect Dikshu Kukreja with a unique appearance. The façade of 600 colored movable blocks is also used as a huge screen. To match this week's theme, videos and photos of Indian colors, culture, monuments, design, dance, mountains and rivers come to life.
The best part of the Expo is to connect people, build business and make the future better. Many Indians will remember this World Expo because it showcases Indian monuments (in the past) in the form of jazz music, and officials are pushing to showcase Indian start-ups (in the future) to a wider audience.
The Consul General of India in Dubai, Dr. Aman Puri, is trying to bring 500 start-ups to Expo 2020. I met an owner who explained to me the importance of sustainable development for the company. The company name of Abdul Majid is Zero. He showed me a T-shirt made in Jalandhar made from four waste plastic bottles. His recycling plants in Punjab and Dubai can use waste to make sneakers and jackets.
The UAE is India’s third largest trading partner, with an annual trade volume of US$60 billion, but it is safe to say that mobility, IA-based technology companies and sustainable development-centric companies can make this partnership stronger.
Airowater, another start-up company, uses green technology to make water purifiers, which collect water from moisture in the air.
Dhruva Space, an engineering company based in Hyderabad and Austria, raised 220 million rupees in the early days of the Expo. Tranzmeo, another start-up company with fourth-generation expertise in solving abnormal problems in pipelines and refineries, won a large number of business quotations for the Abu Dhabi-based TransAsia pipeline at the expo. Innovators from 110 start-ups have tried their luck at the Dubai Expo.
The young Indian brain has smart ideas in sustainability, education, healthcare, IT solutions, lifestyle, agriculture, mobility and space. Expo 2020 Dubai provides them with the diversity and platform they need to promote these ideas and suggestions.
As Dubai is known for its “easy to do business” and loose visa rules, Expo 2020 is a rare opportunity to overcome the fatigue and challenges of the pandemic.
Which city outside of Dubai offers you 3 flights to London every day, even during the peak period of Covid?
Indians understand the UAE's hobby of doing business in adversity. So, are you surprised that the most visited nationals of Expo 2020 Dubai are Indians?
Sheela Bhatt is a senior journalist from India. She is based in New Delhi.
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