It was a colourful reception for President Pratibha Patil at the Indian pavilion, which has designed the world's largest bamboo dome at the Shanghai Expo 2010, where a visual treat of a collection of classical dance forms like Bharatnatyam and Kathak left her mesmerised.
"I congratulate and appreciate the Chinese government's efforts to organise this mega expo," Patil said Sunday at the Indian pavilion themed 'Cities of Harmony'.
"In increasing modernisation, we have to plan and build our cities, so that human beings can lead better lives," she said, adding the message which is being sent here is -- living
in harmony not only with people but also with nature.
The President described as unique the bamboo structure with a height of 17 metres at the Indian pavilion.
Use of these environment-friendly articles shows efforts for protection of environment and sustained development "which we are committed to" and which are important for a "pluralistic society," the President said.
At the pavilion, Patil was welcomed with a 'swagatam' piece -- a collection of all Indian classical dance forms like Bharatnatyam, Kathak and Manipuri choreographed by Maitreyee Pahari.
The pavilion was designed by the Indians and Chinese together, reflecting harmony between the two sides.
The huge dome structure resembled 'Sanchi Stupa', an ancient Buddhist monument, with its interiors focusing on the integration of urban and rural regions to suit expo's main theme of 'Better city and Life'. The dome linked 36 bamboo
ribs, each a triangulation of nine bamboos.
The pavilion covers 4,000 square metres and its building materials are contemporary, consisting of massive solar panels, windmills, herbs and bamboo.
It features India's rich religious culture, traditional and modern technology and combination of urban and rural life.
From the Indian pavilion, Patil went to the Chinese pavilion, where she watched an eight-minute movie on the development and urbanisation of China.
Themed 'Crown of the East', the Chinese pavilion, the largest at the Expo, treated visitors to a very impressive multi-media presentation on a big screen about the Qing
dynasty. It also showcased 30 years of reform in the Communist nation.
An estimated seven crore people are expected to visit the Expo, which is to last till October.
On an average 200,000 people come to the event everyday while the Indian pavilion receives between 10,000 and 20,000 visitors daily.
China is reportedly splashing out USD 4.2 billion on the Expo, and many billions more on improvements such as public transit for this city of 20 million people.
The Expo, the most high-profile event in China after the 2008 Beijing Olympics, involves massive security, with a total of 191 nations and 50 international organisations participating in it.
This is the first time that the World Expo is being held in a developing country ever since the exhibition was first organised in London in 1851.