[Points: What they are—different kinds of exhibitions—common objects of all exhibitions—usefulness.]
An exhibition is a special display of works of interest in an area encloser. for the purpose. Exhibitions are of different kinds. Some are confined to particular branches of knowledge, e.g. industrial exhibitions, agricultural exhibitions, educational exhibitions, etc. Exhibitions are also arranged in connection with conferences and cultural and religious functions like Congress Exhibitions, Puja Exhibitions, etc. in which the exhibits cover a wide variety of interesting matters. We have exhibitions organised by foreign countries to give the people an idea of the state of things in those lands. We have also several exhibitions showing the art and skill of individual painters.
In spite of this wide variety in the character of these exhibitions, they have one object in common-the object to educate and instruct. And it is this object that makes exhibitions so useful. The know ledge of the general body of our people about agriculture and industry is confined to what they see around them. Agricultural and industrial exhibitions teach them how they can produce more and better things at cheaper cost. They also learn from them where they may get improved machinery and how it is to be used. The charts that figure prominently in every exhibition bring home the lesson of the exhibition to the visitors in a graphic way. All these enable the people not only to improve their own lot but also to contribute to the prosperity of their country. Educational exhibitions acquaint the visitors with the latest improvements in the art of learning and teaching, and inspire them to catch up with people more advanced than they. We had also exhibitions in Calcutta in which the whole stories of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata were presented in clay models. The presentation was so interesting as to leave a lasting impression on the mind. Even exhibitions of individual painters throw new light on the art and thus help other artists to profit by them.
Exhibitions are also good media for advertisement,-better than advertisement through papers. Things seen have a stronger appeal than things heard or read. So when a person sees with his own eyes a practical demonstration of the usefulness of a thing, he cannot but feel favourably impressed by it.
