Bhubaneswar: Subhadra Shakti Mela, a vibrant celebration of women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship, is slated to be held from November 1 to 12 at the IDCO Exhibition Ground in Bhubaneswar.
Organised by Odisha’s Mission Shakti Department, the event seeks to honour the remarkable capabilities, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit of women from rural to urban areas.
Announcing details of the event at a press meet in Bhubaneswar, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida said women are now playing an impressive role in every field and this mela serves as a platform to showcase their unparalleled strength. “From villages to cities, women are demonstrating their potential, creativity, and entrepreneurship,” she said.
Over 300 women’s self-help groups (SHGs) from all districts of Odisha will participate. They will display and sell a wide array of products. The mela will also feature 50 food stalls offering millet-based healthy foods alongside traditional Odia delicacies.
Adding a national flavour, SHGs from 11 other states—Punjab, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Assam, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, and Goa—have been invited to exhibit their finest products.
Visitors can explore diverse handlooms, handicrafts, food items, and non-timber forest products. Shoppers will find an exquisite collection of clothing, grains, home decor, and household items.
This provides women entrepreneurs with a golden opportunity to reach a broader market, attract new customers, and unlock new possibilities.
The mela promises an immersive experience of Odisha’s culture, women’s power, and traditional flavours. Evening cultural programs will include captivating performances such as Odissi dance, Chhau, folk dramas, Mallakhamb, Gotipua, Ranapa, Sambalpuri dance, Puri’s twin conch dance, Bihu, musical evenings, and Pala.
For the first time, a fashion show featuring handlooms and costumes crafted by SHGs will be held. This adds a modern twist to traditional artistry.
Through this platform, SHG women will connect their products to larger markets, boosting income and fostering self-reliance. It will help them achieve a distinct identity and realise the dream of becoming “Lakhpati Didi” (millionaire sisters).
The Mela will be open to visitors daily from 11 am to 9 pm.
