Mahindra & Mahindra VC Anand Mahindra was disgusted by the stinking loos at Pragati Maidan, venue for Defexpo 2010

'Public toilets are an embarrassment'

Mahindra & Mahindra VC Anand Mahindra was disgusted by the stinking loos at Pragati Maidan, venue for Defexpo 2010

It's not a common man's problem anymore.

Mahindra tweeted his remarks after unveiling M&M defence product Mine Protected Vehicle (MPV) at Pragati Maidan. He wrote, "At Pragati Maidan 2nd time in 2 mnths. Defenceexpo this time. Disgusted by its dilapidation. Public toilet an embarrassment. Where's our pride?"u00a0

M&M is one of the biggest Indian exhibitors at the Defexpo. The exhibition is seeing participation from across the world.

Bad loos were not the only problem. There was mismanagement in dealing with the media. The media center that was supposed to provide journalists with wi-fi connectivity and Internet couldn't do so till late afternoon, leaving journalists angry and frustrated.

The Internet service provider hired by the India Trade Promoter Organization - Tulip Services - was asked to set up 20 work stations while the number of journalists registered with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) goes beyond 150. "We were given a requisition for 20 work stations only. We had no idea about the kind of services that would be required from the system," said a Tulip Services official.

Irritated with the poor service, few journalists even lodged complaint with the defence minister who immediately asked a senior official to make necessary arrangements. But it was too late as most of the foreign correspondents had left in disgust after haggling for laptops with the authorities.

Despite all the chaos, Ministry of Defence claimed the expo was a success with 40 per cent increase in the participation of both domestic and international companies.

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