Ambassador of India to Qatar H E Dr. Deepak Mittal; Qatar Chamber First Vice-Chairman, Mohamed bin Ahmed bin Twar Al Kuwari and Director of Lulu Group International Dr. Mohamed Althaf with other officials inaugurating the festival at Lulu Hypermarket, Ain Khaled branch, yesterday. Pic: Abdul Basit
Lulu Group has announced the first ever simultaneous region-wide launch of its celebration of the 75th anniversary of India's Independence — Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav under the tagline ‘India Utsav 2022’.
The popular Indian Independence Day festival “India Utsav” was launched at the same time across all Lulu stores in Qatar and other GCC countries yesterday.
India Utsav is a retail festival that brings alive the 3Cs of the Indian experience at Lulu: culture, commerce and cuisine. It showcases the close commercial ties Qatar enjoys with India.
The festival in the Qatar region was inaugurated by Ambassador of India to Qatar H E Dr. Deepak Mittal at Lulu Hypermarket, Ain Khaled branch yesterday in the presence of many dignitaries, including First Vice-Chairman of Qatar Chamber Mohamed bin Ahmed Twar Al Kuwari, Sheikh Mohamed bin Ahmed MA Al Thani, Abdulla Al Kuwari, Ibrahim Almalki, Director of Lulu Group International Dr. Mohamed Althaf and a host of important guests.
Ambassador of India to Qatar, H E Dr. Deepak Mittal expressed his happiness over the initiative of Lulu Hypermarket in organising Indian festival throughout Lulu outlets in Qatar and other GCC counties.
“It is very special moment for every Indian citizen to be celebrating 75th Anniversary of India’s Independence. Lulu has been playing important role in promoting Indian brands in the GCC. I am very happy to be here for inaugurating the festival,” said the Ambassador.
He said that Lulu has been playing major role in promoting food security in Qatar even during challenging times during past few years.
“The festival is showcasing so many varieties of products which have been imported exclusively from different parts of India, including Jammu, Kashmir to northeast and southeast of India,” said the Ambassador.
He said that the festival is offering various food items, including fruits, organic vegetables, millets and other plant-based protein and vegans.
Qatar Chamber (QC) First Vice-Chairman Mohamed bin Ahmed bin Twar Al Kuwari said that Lulu Hypermarket offered big range of Indian food items under the festival, including fruits, vegetables among others in very nice packs.
The Indian Ambassador and other officials touring the festival.
“Lulu Hypermarket is very famous in its promotion offering products on competitive prices. It always offers something new to its customers. We are grateful to Lulu for supporting our local market,” said Al Kuwari.
Director of Lulu Group International Dr. Mohamed Althaf said that the festival aims at celebrating Indian culture on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of India’s Independence.
“Being a major player in Qatar-India relationship, Lulu Hypermarket is taking this opportunity not only to promote Indian products to enhance trade relations between two countries but other ties as well like cultural and cuisines,” said Althaf.
He said that the diplomatic relations between Qatar and India is going to mark 50 years, making two countries to be closer. “Many new shipping routes were opened during past five years. Now we have direct trade relationship between Qatar and India which enhance further trade ties between two countries,” said Althaf.
Regarding food security, he said that India has got a major role to play in Qatar by exporting foods items in a large quantity, which is being recognised by people including Indian expatriates, Qatari citizens and residents of other countries.
“This is one of the major events we are hosting in this new branch of Lulu Hypermarket. The festival-related offers are made available in all the 18 stores in the region,” said Althaf.
In celebration of the 75 Years of India’s Independence, the “India Utsav” will present a unique immersive shopping experience at Lulu with regional food trails, amazing promotions and offers on every category from fresh food to grocery to lifestyle and fashion wear in time for the festive season to follow.
Lulu has flown in many exclusive Indian products for this well-loved and immersive shopping festival that showcases a wide range of food products, agri-produce range with fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as meat and seafood.
Lulu chefs have created a huge range of authentic specialities, desserts, and street food delicacies in the hot food section. To complete the Indian culture experience, trendy high-street fashion as well as a curated collection of designer wear for festivals are made available.
This year Lulu highlights over 3,500 products in different categories, which are flown in straight from India for this promotion — from fruits and vegetables to meat, packaged food products, kitchen essentials, and traditional wear like sarees and churidars etc. A wide range of hot food dishes is also being freshly prepared daily.
The festival puts forth the opportunity for shoppers to enjoy the taste of authentic Indian cuisine from Lulu’s delicious biryanis to mouth-watering curries, popular street foods, traditional sweets, and many more delicacies that are available at the most affordable prices.
