The India Pavilion has been recognized among the top 3 pavilions at the Expo2020 Dubai for its exclusive design and innovation, under the ‘People’s Choice’ category by the Exhibitor Group. This is the first time in the history of the World Expo that the India Pavilion has bagged such an accolade. The India Pavilion was also awarded as ‘One of the most iconic’ Pavilions by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) at EXPO2020 in November last year.
The Expo2020 was held from October 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022. The India Pavilion at EXPO2020 Dubai celebrated #India@75 or ‘75 years of India’s independence and showcased the new and dynamic India with its never-ending opportunities. A star-studded international jury established by Exhibitors Insight Awards identified the ‘People Choice Awards.
Commenting on the Award, Dr. Aman Puri, Consul General of India in Dubai and Deputy Commissioner General for India at Expo 2020 Dubai said, “It is a testament to India’s magnificence which has been exhibited by the India Pavilion. With the use of architecture, the Pavilion beautifully captures India’s rich cultural heritage and its technological prowess.”
In a statement, Ar. Dikshu Kukreja, Managing Principal, CP Kukreja Architects, who designed the India Pavilion said, “Every visitor takes back with them a vast array of experiences and memories, whether it is India’s culture, architectural legacy, forays into technology, or the country’s beautiful natural landscape. This uniqueness is what we wanted to showcase through our design for the India Pavilion, which transcends the boundaries of time and region and encapsulates India’s vibrant diversity.”
And, Travis Stanton, jury member of the award said, “The Expo 2020 Award winners and honorable mentions represent some of the world’s best examples of how design, technology, presentation, and storytelling come together to create immersive experiences and effectively communicate compelling messages.”
The India Pavilion was created on the theme of “Openness, Opportunity, Growth”, in line with EXPO2020 Dubai’s theme – “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future”, to showcase a nation open to new learnings, new perspectives, innovations, and investment opportunities. The state-of-the-art India Pavilion structure is dedicated to 11 primary themes, each having an exclusive zone, all under one gigantic roof. The magnificent four-storey Pavilion represented India as the fastest-growing nation in the world with the theme of ‘India on the move’.
Made up of 600 individual blocks, the façade of the India Pavilion uses kinetic architecture to tell 75 stories about the history, geography, and literature of the country with an engrossing stimulus of “constant change”. The interiors of the pavilion employ cutting-edge technologies to craft an interactive journey through
Speaking at the 94th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in New Delhi recently, Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and Textiles, said, “It was a tough task, right amid COVID through the last two years, fighting against all odds, project getting delayed, full of uncertainties, full of challenges. But with all of those difficulties, I think we have come up with the best pavilion for the Dubai EXPO2020. It is one of the most visible and highly visited pavilions — appreciated by all those who had a chance to visit that — and compliments to the entire team for making it happen, making it happen successfully.”
Goyal added, “I am hoping to replicate the Dubai India Pavilion experience at the Pragati Maidan in New Delhi so that we have a permanent location which can be a matter of pride for every Indian.”
Consisting of four floors, the India Pavilion showcased all the latest technologies and created an ambient, futuristic environment with installations powered by augmented reality and projection mapping. The first floor took the visitors to a world of mesmerizing projections and mirrors that presented a kaleidoscope of India’s colours and cultural vibrance. The second floor reflected India’s bilateral partnership with the UAE and the plethora of opportunities that this partnership opens up. The third floor was where ‘Corporate India’ showcased its growing prowess in various sectors.
As visitors entered the pavilion, they had to walk into a starry tunnel that took them to outer space to witness India’s journey into space. They could then witness India’s achievements in the health and wellness sector, highlighting India’s vast history of Ayurveda and alternate medicine systems.
During the day, the facade had different moving patterns to celebrate 75 years of India’s Independence. Every week, these patterns took the shape of three stories of the 25 sub-themes. During the evening time, the facade turned into a vibrant show with sound, light and projections.