Sparkle not much sparkling affair this year

Surat: Call it whatever, the demonetization impact or else, but response to annual Sparkle fair in Surat this time is not in match with the past editions. Out of total 112 stalls only 16 represent gems and jewellery sector while others are occupied by diamond machinery firms, police weapons demonstration, garden department, PSU and other entities. The Chief Minister didn’t turn up and sent deputy Chief Minister to inaugurate the fair for the first time this year. State government even reduced the grant from Rs 2.50 crore to 75 lakh to Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry for this fair this year. Core attraction in this fair is Somnath shivling decorated with 75,000 diamonds and studded gold. A 22 ft shivlinga will be donated to Shri Somnath Trust after the exhibition.