Saras Mela Opens In Rourkela: Women SHGs Showcase Their Products At 250 Stalls

Rourkela: Producers’ groups and Women Self Help Groups (WSHGs) from Odisha and outside have put up their products on display and sale at 250 stalls in the all-India ‘Saras Mela’ at Rourkela.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the all-India Mela at the Bhanja Bhawan Exhibition Ground in the city  on Sunday. In a video message, he congratulated Rourkela for hosting the national-level fair for the first time. He also appealed to the people to visit the venue and purchase products manufactured by Mission Shakti members.

The national-level food and cultural fair, which aims at adding flavor to the festive mood in the Steel City during
the on-going FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup tournament, will continue till January 27. The 13-day ‘Saras Mela’ is jointly organised by the Sundargarh district administration, Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water Dept and ORMAS.

Joining the inaugural function, Minister Women & Child Development and Mission Shakti Basanti Hembram encouraged the participating WSHG members for their effort and dedication.

Terracotta products, Dhokra casting metal crafts, handloom products along with various traditional food items prepared by various WSHGs from Sundargarh and other districts are being sold at the fair.

Similarly, unique and popular indigenous products from states like Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Tripura, Manipur, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala are other attractions.

Another key feature of the national-level fair is daily the cultural programmes where well-known artistes from the state and outside will perform.

Special arrangements have also been made at the Mela venue to facilitate viewing of the live telecast of the Hockey World Cup matches for the visitors. The venue has a selfie point and a Hockey Pavilion has been specially created for children. Moreover, there is a special Food Court for the food lovers. The organisers have made provision of e-Autos for smooth transportation of goods to various stalls in the ground.

Sundargarh MP Jual Oram, MLA Sundargarh Kusum Tete, ZP chairman Kunti Pradhan, deputy chairman, SDC,
Sundargarh Sushila Topno, Collector Parag Harshad Gavali, ZP CDO & EO Manoj Satyawan Mahajan and deputy CEO ORMAS Keshav Jha were among others present on the occasion.