Samaworld – Ahmed Bin Abdulqader LuLu Hypermarketlaunched its colourful “India Utsav” festival to celebrate 76th Indian Independence Day – Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. The popular Indian Independence Day festival “India Utsav” was inaugurated by H.E. N. Ram Prasad, the Charge d’ Affaires at the Indian Embassy in Riyadh at LuLu Hypermarket Avenue Mall, Murabba. He was received by Mr. Shehim Mohammed, Director of LuLu Hypermarkets Saudi Arabia. Similarly, the festival was inaugurated in Jeddah by H.E. Mohammed Shahid Alam, Indian Consul General there. “India Utsav” is a retail festival that brings alive the 3 Cs of the Indian experience at LuLu: Culture, Commerce and Cuisine. It showcases the close commercial ties that the Group enjoys with India. In celebration of 75 Years of Indian Independence, the “India Utsav” will present a unique immersive shopping experience at LuLu with regional food trails, celebrity visits and amazing promotions and fashion wear in time for the festive season to follow. The festival will see the launch of five new Indian brands in KSA: Vadilal, Lazza, Agro special, Everest, Govind and The Green Snack Co and special promotions on over 7,500 Indian products, ranging from FMCG to health and beauty products, fresh fruit and veg and household and fashion. Of special interest to shoppers will be the “Flavours of India” celebration of the regional cuisines of India, which will take centrestage at all the LuLu Hypermarkets in the Kingdom and will run till August 20, 2022. To mark the occasion, LuLu had organised to bake and display the biggest cake- a 75 metre cake in the Indian tricolour. Saudi artist Khalid also delighted the shoppers with art done with spice powders and rice. “The LuLu Group’s promotion of Indo-Saudi commerce and cultural links has brought pride and honour to India as well as to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and underscored the warm and friendly ties between both countries,” , said H.E. Ram Prasad, Charge d’Affaires to Saudi Arabia, “As a visionary businessman, Mr. Yusuffali has played a big role in expanding commercial relations between both countries and the region. He has put Indian exports through his chain on the INR 5000 crores trajectory. These include Indian fruit, vegetables and grain – and non-food items to the chain of LuLu ‘s 235 hypermarkets around the world. In Saudi Arabia, the Group has initiated several far-sighted expansion projects and created employment opportunities for all. All this positions it to play a leading role in the Kingdom’s bright future.” INDIAN FOOD AND FASHION PROMOTION LuLu, which has a strong Indian network of food processing and logistics centres for exporting bulk products to the Middle Eastern countries, 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, vegetables as well as meat. LuLu chefs have created a huge range of authentic specialties, 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 and weddings are made available. Speaking at the inauguration, Mr. Shehim Mohammed said: “We, at LuLu have pioneered the immersive and experiential shopping event which adds value and an extra dimension to our shoppers’ retail outings. With a network of food sourcing and logistics centres across India, food processing units and LuLu’s own-label food products as well as a cohort of skilled fashion buyers who help our garments and clothing department to stay ahead of the trend, we are well-prepared to treat our shoppers with truly festive “Utsav” shopping.” India Utsav will run till August 20 and feature a promotion on India’s best regional cuisines and super deals on all Indian products and fashionwear across LuLu Hypermarkets and online on its shopping website www.luluhypermarket.com and mobile app.