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What is an expo? It is a global event organized to find solutions by many nations throughout the world collectively, for problems faced by humanity. Each expo has its theme and various activities.
Expos are organized under the auspices of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE). The BIE was created in 1928 and began its operations in 1931, with the mission to protect the rights of its organizers and guarantee the quality of expos.
Now, Dubai expo 2020 is a world expo. On 27th November 2013, Dubai won the right to host Expo 2020. It is the first expo to be organized in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region. Dubai expo 2020 was originally scheduled from 20 October 2020 to 10 April 2021, it was rescheduled due to the Covid pandemic, it started on 1 October 2021 and ends on 31 March 2022. It is held in a sprawling area of 438 hectares. Close to 25,000,000 visitors are expected. It has more than 200 participants (countries, businesses, institutions) and many visitors. The theme for this expo is Connecting Minds, Creating The Future, under this theme, there are 3 sub-themes Opportunity, Mobility, and Sustainability.
Opportunity refers to “Individuals and communities have the power to change the future if they are given the opportunity.” So it works to unlock their potential.
Mobility is concerned with “creating a smarter and more productive movement of people, goods and ideas, both physically and virtually.”
Sustainability deals with “Respecting and living in balance with the world we inhabit to ensure a sustainable future for all.”
The property where this expo is being held is shaped like three petals that link to Al Wasl Plaza, the famous centerpiece called after Dubai’s ancient name, which means connection.
The three petals of the expo signify the three subthemes, Opportunity, mobility, and Sustainability. Each theme has its pavilion and each pavilion has a unique name. Mission possible, Alif, and Terra are the names of opportunity, Mobility, and Sustainability pavilions respectively. Each participating country has its pavilion near the chosen subtheme, for the first time in the history of the world expo.
The world fair's staging and preparations are anticipated to generate 277,000 new employment in the UAE, a $40 billion economic boost, and a visitor surge of at least 25 million and up to 100 million.
Many initiatives were launched before the expo started to promote and encourage participation by various nations and organizations, let me describe a few of them.
● Expo Live: It is an innovation and collaboration initiative to fund, accelerate, and promote innovative ideas that enhance people's lives while protecting the environment. Expo Live has a budget of USD 100 million whose initiatives are supported by a mix of grants, challenge awards, and knowledge-sharing activities centered on the universal drivers of progress: Opportunity, Mobility, and Sustainability, which are presented in the dedicated 'The Good Place' pavilion.
● Global Best Practice Program: Several Best Practices from across the globe have been selected to be presented at Expo 2020 Dubai, a highlight of every Expo since 2010. Expo 2020's Global Best Practice Programme, addresses the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlights practical solutions that can be duplicated, modified, and expanded for greater global effect.
● Expo school program: Since the beginning of the Expo project, organizers have been involving kids through the Expo School Program. The program includes a specialized visitor center on the Expo site, which offers hands-on activities for young people to discover Expo 2020 Dubai and its theme.
● World Majlis: The World Majlis series is a theme debate series aiming at fostering global dialogue and connecting people and ideas. World Majlis is based in the Emirati and Arab traditions of the majlis, a gathering space where individuals express educated ideas to help influence community decisions.
Expo 2020 Dubai's mascot family personifies the event's inviting attitude. Salama, the mythical ghaf tree, watches over two Emirati siblings, Latifa, eight, and Rashid, nine. They are led by three robots named Opti, Alif, and Terra, which represent the three subthemes of Expo 2020: Opportunity, Mobility, and Sustainability. The mascots' experiences are the subject
of a series of short films, each one focusing on a different subtheme of the Expo.
There are three types of passes available: daily, monthly, and seasonal passes.
The India Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai shows India's dedication to the idea of लोका: समस्ता: सुखिनो भवन्तु.
The India Pavilion is located in Al Fosan Park, near to the Expo 2020 Dubai's 'Opportunity' neighborhood, and is themed "Openness. Opportunity. Growth."
The Indian Pavilion, being one of the largest pavilions at Dubai expo 2020, will have a façade that represents 'India on the Move.'
The India Pavilion, which spans four levels, will display the newest technology and create an immersive, futuristic experience.
The first level will transport you to a world of hypnotic projections and mirrors depicting a kaleidoscope of India's colors and cultural vibrancy.
The second level showcases India's bilateral relationship with the UAE, as well as the numerous prospects that this relationship provides.
The 'Corporate India' and its expanding proficiency in many areas will be shown on the third level.
India is one of the few pavilions at Dubai expo 2020 that will hold a variety of conferences, business meetings, cultural events, cuisine festivals, online seminars, film screenings, dialogues, and contests.
In a nutshell, Expo is a tool for economic, cultural, and social improvement, utilizing the collaboration of countries that act together for global growth, and it intends at initiating the attainment of the goal of sustainable development at the level of countries, societies, and households through effective initiatives, with an outlook to adapting and expanding them to have a greater global impact and I, hope expo 2020 becomes a successful one.
~Sai Shreyas Ravva