– Mohammed Atherulla Shariff
Bhatkal: Bhatkal, a famous coastal town on the shores of Arabian Ocean in Karnataka, always finds a place in news by one way or the other. Basically, a trading community known as Nawayaths has its global presence.
A grand trade expo was organised here from January 11 to 15. More than 225 stalls were put up on a 5-acre plot, spaciously. Women entrepreneurs also marked their participation. Nawayath businessmen and industrialists from Mangaluru, Udupi, Gangoli, Kundapur, Honnavar, Kumta and Karwar had their stalls.
Residential apartments, building material, hardware, solar heaters, electronic goods, perfumes, books and stationery, garments, herbal and Unani medicines, etc. were put on display and sale.
The Indian Nawayath Forum comprises eight organisations functioning in India: Bhatkal Muslim Jamaat Mumbai, Majlis-e-Andhra Nawayath, Bhatkal Muslim Association Chennai, Bhatkal Jamaatul Muslimeen Mangaluru, Bhatkal Muslim Jamaat Kerala, Bhatkal Muslim Jamaat Madikeri and Bhatkal Muslim Association Kolkata.
In the expo there was arrangement for congregational prayers. Around 10,000 visitors witnessed the expo every day. School children also visited in batches.
The trade expo was basically aimed to provide a platform for promotion of business and strengthen the economy.
