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  In more than 30 years of working in exhibitions, I have seen the industry change dramatically. Materials have evolved, technology has transformed the way we communicate, stands have become more immersive, and participation has become far more sophisticated. Yet one thing has remained surprisingly constant. Many organisations still begin by asking, “What should the stand look like?” before asking the more important question: “Why are we exhibiting at all?” Every year, the cycle is familiar. Space is booked, budgets are approved, agencies are called, designs are presented, products are shortlisted, graphics are developed and teams prepare to travel. The organisation will be present. But presence is not a strategy. Over the years, I have worked with ministries, state governments, PSUs, corporate brands, industrial companies, technology firms, institutions and tourism boards across India and international markets. I have seen spectacular pavilions, crowded stands, major launches,...

I have often wondered how much the space around us really matters when we are seeking a spiritual experience. One could argue that it shouldn’t matter at all. If the teacher is profound, the prayer meaningful or the meditation deep, surely the surroundings become secondary. And perhaps, at some level, they do. But over the years, working with spaces and experiences, I have begun to feel differently. I think our surroundings affect us much before we consciously notice them. You enter a room and somehow you know whether you want to stay there. Sometimes you feel comfortable immediately. Sometimes you feel restless without really knowing why. It could be the light, the sound, the temperature, the way people are seated or simply too many things competing for your attention. The same must be true of a spiritual space. If I walk into a room for a discourse and the lights are harsh, people are moving around, doors keep opening, cables are visible and there is constant background noise, I can ...