Bhubaneswar: Around 400 stalls will be opened in the annual Sisir Saras Mela to be organised in Bhubaneswar in January, 2024.
This was stated by Poonam T Guha, Director-cum-Chief Executive Officer, ORMAS at a preparatory meeting on Tuesday. Sisir Saras-2024, the national level handloom, handicrafts and natural food products event, will be held at Biju Patnaik Playground in Baramuda from January 6 to 15, 2024, she said.
The stalls will be erected by Women Self Help Groups (WSHGs), Producers Groups (PGs) and Producers Enterprises (PEs) from 26 states to showcase their handicraft, handloom and spices products.
A special food court with 20 stalls and theme stall depicting the ORMAS activities including marketing, livelihood and skill development will also be opened in this year’s mela. Renowned artists will perform in the cultural programme every evening.
A detailed discussion was held regarding the government IEC stalls of flagship programmes and schemes on drinking water, housing, sustainable development goals (SDG) and transport.
Guha said battery-powered rides for senior citizens and differently able persons, special kids zone for the entertainment of children will also be arranged. Open quiz, drawing competition for school students and other entertainment programmes will also be organised.
The private and state-owned banks will open stalls to provide information on installing ATM machines, coin vending machine, drinking water supply. Special parking zones will be arranged for two-wheelers, three-wheelers and four-wheelers (light vehicles) for those coming to the fair.
A detailed discussion was also held with the BMC officials to keep the fair ground clean. The organisers said efforts will be made to make the fair polythene-free as far as possible.
All the line departments and organisations assured of their support to the fair organised by Odisha Rural Development & Marketing Society (ORMAS) under the Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water Department.
Sushil Kumar Lohani, Principal Secretary, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department also spoke. Senior officials of Commissionerate Police, Traffic Police and Fire Department, BMC, BDA, WATCO, SSEPD, TRIFED, SC&ST department, Health & FW department, Culture Department were present in the meeting.
In 2023, Sisir Saras Mela was organised in Bhubaneswar along with Mini Pallishree Fair in 30 districts. The fair generated total business turnover of Rs 75 crore.
