Introduction | Salient Features | Route | Activities | Financials

Introduction

India and the African nations, especially in southern Africa, share an age-old and strong bond of peace and friendship. For centuries, Indians have been going to southern Africa and helping in setting up business and other institutions there. Among the most momentous journeys is Mahatma Gandhi’s sojourn inSouth Africa that led to the definition of Satyagraha and the focusing of the world’s attention on colonial rule in India.

Today, in an era of globalisation and the rapid emergence of India as a global economic power, this friendship between India and the southern African nations has taken on a new meaning. In countries like South Africa and Mauritius, the Indian diaspora is playing a crucial role in strengthening institutions and opening up new avenues of trade, business, educational and cultural exchange. This bond is going to strengthen further in days to come. But to achieve that goal, it is important for the people of both regions to know each other better, to understand the place, people and culture of each other.

This is a role that the governments alone cannot play. The responsibility for spreading awareness about each other is much the people’s as it is of the institutions in respective countries. It is with this noble and ambitious intention that Opinion Express Mass Communications Ltd, Mauritius & All India Association Of Industries, India with ITPO – India trade Promotion Authority have planned a grand India-Mauritius Trade & Tourism Promotion Rally. The objective of the rally is to promote Tourism, Business, Education and Cultural ties between India and Mauritius with a special focus on People of Indian Origin (PIOs) that are an integral part of life in Mauritius. This grand event is planned in 2nd October, 2007, and aims at spreading awareness about Mauritius, SADC and COMESA countries in the African continent.

Salient Features

1. The Proposed Rally is expected to cover a distance of about 3000 km within India inland, and after reaching Mauritius, another about 400 km. The India leg will be covered in a bus.


2. All relevant permissions will be taken in advance from the Home, Police, Tourism, Transport and other departments concerned.


3. There will be a maximum of 12 people (men and women) as permanent members of the rally throughout its complete journey.


4. At every stop, the rally members will make a presentation and screen a film about Mauritius and its beautiful climate and tourist attractions. And the same will be replicated in Mauritius about India and the opportunities in trade and commerce.


5. The second leg will be in Mauritius. It will take the following route: Pamplemouse, Goodlands, Grand Baie, Port Louis, Rose Hill, Quatre Bornes, Vacoas, Curepipe, Rosebell, Flacq,Mahebourg.


6. During the entire duration, the progress of the rally will be extensively photographed and video-filmed, to be produced at the end of it as a major television film.


7. Logo of sponsors will be displayed on the vehicle throughout, promotion material will be screened through out the tour of each sponsor, backdrop display of logo will feature on each press conference, event during the event and finally a souvenir will carry AX4 size print advertisement, the same will be extensively distributed World Wide.

Route

Financials

1. The total cost on the month-long rally will be mainly on the following: Transport, hotel accommodation, medical facilities, food, logistics and media/publicity events and material.


2. The cost of video equipment for filming and projection of films


3. The total cost of the rally is estimated at Rs 100 lakh, including travel, daily expenditure and other incidentals.


4. The State agencies whose participation could be requested include: Indian Government departments of Tourism Promotion, Cultural Affairs, Transport, Civil Aviation, Education, Information and Broadcasting and External Affairs.


5. The Indian companies whose participation shall be sought include Life Insurance Corporation of India, Bank of Baroda, MTML, New India Assurance Company Ltd, State Bank of India, Indian Oil, Indian Ocean International Bank,TCIL,Thomas Cook, Reliance, Telco,L&T, Zee TV.


6. In return, the sponsoring companies will get prominent space on the exterior and interior of the bus, place in all video films and photographs, mention in all media reports along the way and special mentions by the eminent people who will be invited to address the rally.


7. The international exposure to the rally with its noble cause will add great PR value and enhance the image of public spirit of the sponsoring companies.


8. The companies in Mauritius that will be approach to extend support and sponsorship to the event.

The sponsorship details are as follows:

(Give various rates such as bus exterior, interior, logo, flyer, banner etc.)