Crème de la Crème of the Industry mark their presence at the 28th edition of INDEX 2016

India’s leading international interiors, architecture and design event by UBM Index Trade Fairs

( L-R ) Mr. Liyakat Ali Khan, Managing Director, UBM Index Tradefairs; Mr Prahlad Kakar, Advertising Film Director, Prahlad Kakar Film Production; Mr. Jime Essinck, CEO, UBM Asia; Padma Bhushan Ar. Hafeez Contractor , Principal Architect, Architect Hafeez Contractor; Mr. Erdal Sabri ERGEN, Consul General, Consulate General of Turkey;  Mr. Nitin Nagrale,  Founder & President HPMF and DIRECTOR Radisson Blu Plaza Mumbai; Ar. Prem Nath, Principal and Architect, Prem Nath & Associates and Ms. Sylvia Khan, Editor, IFJ

( L-R ) Mr. Liyakat Ali Khan, Managing Director, UBM Index Tradefairs; Mr Prahlad Kakar, Advertising Film Director, Prahlad Kakar Film Production; Mr. Jime Essinck, CEO, UBM Asia; Padma Bhushan Ar. Hafeez Contractor , Principal Architect, Architect Hafeez Contractor; Mr. Erdal Sabri ERGEN, Consul General, Consulate General of Turkey;  Mr. Nitin Nagrale,  Founder & President HPMF and DIRECTOR Radisson Blu Plaza Mumbai; Ar. Prem Nath, Principal and Architect, Prem Nath & Associates and Ms. Sylvia Khan, Editor, IFJ


Mumbai, 13th October, 2016: UBM Index Trade fairs commenced the 28th edition of its flagship show, INDEX, India`s leading international interiors, architecture and design event today. The four day fair (13th-16th October) is held at a new and bigger venue this year, the Bombay Convention & Exhibition Centre. The show brought together internationally renowned leading architects, interior designers, builders, project managers, hoteliers, heads across hospitality, corporate and government sectors, ultra HNIs and fashionistas on one common platform, to present their in-vogue products and offerings.

The grand opening of INDEX 2016 took place in the presence of Key Dignitaries, Padma Bhushan Ar. Hafeez Contractor , Principal Architect, Architect Hafeez Contractor; Ar. Prem Nath, Principal and Architect, Prem Nath & Associates; Mr Prahlad Kakar, Advertising Film Director, Prahlad Kakar Film Production; Mr. Erdal Sabri ERGEN, Consul General, Consulate General of Turkey; Ms. Sylvia Khan, Editor, IFJ; Mr. Nitin Nagrale, Founder & President HPMF and DIRECTOR Radisson Blu Plaza Mumbai; Mr. Jime Essinck, CEO, UBM Asia and Mr. Liyakat Ali Khan, Managing Director, UBM Index fairs amidst an august industry gathering.

Further reaffirming the position of INDEX as a premier industry event, the expo has the participation of over 400 brands including Godrej Interio, Kurlon, Century Ply, Spacewood, Hettich, Monarch, Ebco, Labacha, Bose hardware, Trezure Furniture, Empire Furniture, Futuristic, Oswal Hardware and Kkolar amongst others.

Day 1 of INDEX included a seminar with content rich sessions held in association with IFJ on SOCIAL HOUSING: INHUMAN REALITY AND HUMAN SOLUTIONS that featured a galaxy of speakers and panelists: Padma Bhushan Ar. Hafeez Contractor, Ar. Kirtee Shah, Chairman, Habitat, Principal KSAPS, Shri Aman Nath, Chairman, Neemrana Hotels, Ar. Nitin Killawala, Team 7 Architects and Ar. Carlos Gomez, CGA Architects, Singapore amongst others.

Mr. Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director, UBM India said The Luxury market has seen a growth of CAGR 25% over the last couple of years and has the potential to grow from $18.5 billion currently to $50 billion by 2020. A rising middle class, brand awareness amongst the youth and purchasing power of the upper class in Tier-II & Tier-III cities are driving the growth in Indias luxury market. UBM Index Trade Fairs, through INDEX, facilitates to work towards meeting the rising demand of the luxury market, especially in the sub sectors of interiors. INDEX has also drawn significant attention from buyers and international sourcing delegates from across the globe and we expect the Indian industry to benefit from this increased international presence at the Expo.”

Mr L.A Khan, Managing Director, UBM Index Fairs further elaborated, INDEX is the only b2b platform for the interiors and design industry in India, bringing together architects, designers, builders and suppliers in a respected and dynamic platform. We are delighted to offer our guests and stakeholders a truly unique INDEX this year with awe-inspiring design spaces for interactions and key partnerships with powerful bodies such as MCHI-CREDAI, BAI, HPMF and several other bodies fusing business with cutting edge product design and numerous new launches.

Day 2 ( 14th October ) will see both industry and design events IFJ-NID LIVING CRAFTS!, a Kitchen industry meet, and Launch of the IFJ Kitchen Catalog. Day 4 ( 16th October ) will witness an Indo-Chinese Furniture Meet, an Industry congregation of furniture manufacturers across India that will have a panel discussion on fairs in China and conducting business with Chinese partners.

A number of novel artistic spaces and workshops added value to the show and will continue to attract visitors till the conclusion of the fair. Held in association with the leading design publication Index Furniture Journal ( IFJ ), INDEX featured an Art Enclave that displayed signature paintings and sculptures by renowned artists while Play the network provided a relaxed and informal arena for the industry fraternity to connect and network. A design initiative INDEX DESIGN BOULEVARD featured eclectic concept spaces by leading architects in a completely non-commercial rendition and Kudos gallery included a walk-through space showcasing the best of architectural prowess, whats new or turnkey, and the latest trends from this industry by designers such as AR Ria Talati, AR Arjun Malik, AR Rahul Kadri, AR RAVI Sarangan, AR Puran Kumar, AR Reza Kabul, KNS architects, DSP architects amongst others.

One of the key highlights of the fair was a solo exhibition by Vrindavan Solanki at the Art Enclave. A renowned artist, Solanki has been acknowledged and awarded by the Bombay Art society and the Gujarat Lalit Kala Akademi. The exhibition is being organised by Aura Art eConnect Pvt. Ltd. at the Aura Art booth. Other highlights include a huge 2,000 square foot design installation called URBAN CHAOS from AR Sanjay Puri which is being used as an interactive design space and a stunning Design Atrium designed by AR Prem Nath. The fair also features an eye-catching India Design Pavilion by the reputed National Institute of Design.

The event is supported by All India Hardware Association, Hospitality Purchasing Managers Forum (HPMF), Taiwan Furniture Manufacturers Association (TFMA), Furniture Association from Turkey (MARMOB), Istanbul Exporters Association (IEA), Association of Designers of India, Association of Architects Builders Interior Designers and Allied Business (ABID) and MCHI-CREDAI.

Industry validates INDEX 2016 as an industry platform and reiterates the objective of the annual expo in South India by UBM India.

Sukhada Gawde-Sangle, General Manager, Makwana Steel Art said,Interior designing has tremendously grown in the recent years. The construction boom in the recent years and the exposure to global lifestyle has made the consumer consciously consider well designed interiors. So this industry will be growing more and more every year.

Mr. Mansukh Gami, Proprietor, Storewell Industries said, We have been associated with INDEX for the last 5years and we have experienced growth. The show has given us the opportunity to amalgamate with potential customers across the globe and this year, we will be launching our new product, Wonders series (Folding) in basket range, wardrobe sliding door fittings and new model of tendom box. UBM Index Trade Fairs INDEX provides us the opportunity to build our brand, meet new prospects and become competitive.

Mr. Jatin Popat, Director, Vistoso Furniture Pvt. Ltd. said, With an aim to showcase the latest innovation in the field of Interior designing, our company is launching the Designer Modular Bedroom furniture at the INDEX 2016. We have participated for the first time and we look forward to networking opportunities, creating our brand awareness and exploring franchise opportunities during the event.

Mr. Bharat Vithalani, CEO, K.N.Corporation said, INDEX 2016 is a big platform which will create opportunities for us in the interior design industry. This year we will be participating for the first time and we will be launching new products like polymer composite material panels (PCM PANELS) and Stainless steel 304 Embossed sheets which are generally used for interior decoration purposes for the ceiling and wall. These products have been launched for the first time in India. We are looking forward to expanding our clientele and getting new opportunities for our business during the event.

About the Author

Sachin Murdeshwar
Sachin Murdeshwar is a Sr.Journalist and Columnist in several Mainline Newspapers and Portals.He is an ardent traveller and likes to explore destinations to the core.