However, beneath the nationalist euphoria there were evident signs of discontentment among the Indian contingent. A few companies from the country were better placed in the fair with independent pavilions among the hi-style shoe majors in hall no 4, where as the majority were huddled together in halls 13 and 14.

Even the privileged ones were not sitting pretty. They had a traumatic feeling of littleness, coupled with an awesome feeling of a long way to go be on par with the global competitors. They were not hopeless, on the contrary they had plans, suggestions andideas. Irshad Mirza, chairman of the Kanpur-based Mirza Tanners, and vice-chairman of Council of Leather Exports (CLE), told The Financial Express that "to catch up with the global trends we have to do a lot of things. We can begin with the exchange of technicians and other personnels between manufacturing and buying countries, and should be more global by getting trained in international trends. The European buyers should be made aware of our abilities and products, similarly our artisans and manufacturers should know the requirements of consumers in other countries".

Another Indian exhibitor in hall no 4 said, "We have to rework our entire programme of shoe making to be make our presence felt in the global scenario. For that the entire national infrastructure has to be geared up. The government has to spent more on creating facilities for industries to flourish. The achievements of these people were not made individually or overnight. We have to learn a lot..."

"Why is this kind of apartheidhere?," asks another participant. "Some 50 companies are here under the `Think Shoes, Think India' banner. Here is India for the Germans, Europeans, and other countries. But a few in hall no 4 are enjoying the facilities of exclusive pavilions. Are they not Indians? Are they not part of the Indian campaign? Together we should have shown our strength," he adds.

When suggested, may be it is because their products fit into the theme of the exhibition `High Fashions, High Styles', the silent murmur burst into loud words, "there are many here having better products and better style..."

Or may be they were old timers and managed to get space on their own, the comment was... "not at all, it is the continuation of the Indian class consciousness, show of one-upmanship and superiority... we are divided even in Duesseldorf".

Promoter of a major international brand in India was sitting with hurt feelings and expressions bordering on frustration. "We are taken out of ourselves here. But I don't want to complain. Welearn through experience. Next time I may not be part of a similar common scheme..."

"It is good to be here together enjoying the CLE hospitality with cool drinks and hot beverages," stated another sarcastically. "But what is the net gain after spending a few lakhs for travel of a team of four or five and the money for this tiny space which is suitable for anything but doing business with international buyers," he said.

But there were many others who were happy with the arrangements, with their chance for the exposure and opportunity to see and learn the world of leathers and shoes.

They acknowledged the roles played by CLE or NLDP in facilitating their travel and exhibition at GDS. They too had business enquiries and trade visitors from different countries in Europe, the USA and Japan.

The organisers of the Indian show were happy with the turnout of visitors at the stalls. "We have done our best with all the limitations we had and our efforts appear to have not been wasted," the officials said.