The fortnight long SARAS Mela got off to a colourful start with the artisans and self help groups from all over the country converging at Pitampura Dilli Haat here today. Inaugurating the Mela the Union Minister of State for Rural Development Ms. Agatha Sangma called upon the people to be in synch with time to benefit from the far reaching changes both globally and within the country which are directly influencing the rural economy. She said that the Ministry of Rural Development will always strive to do its best for the rural people . Ms. Sangma emphasized that it will be the endeavour of the Rural Development Ministry to adapt its policies and programs to absorb the impact of these changes and strengthen the rural economy.
The Minister also visited various stalls and said the Ministry is aware that despite best efforts, the rural artisans do not get the remunarative price for their ware. Under its SGSY scheme this Ministry has been organizing SARAS Melas over the past several years with the assistance of CAPART to provide a marketing platform to assist rural artisans, craftsmen, BPL families and SHGs. Through these efforts not only the exploitation of artisans by the middleman is prevented but the producers also get an opportunity to directly interact with the urban consumers, understand their taste & preferences and negotiate the right price.
The Mela aims at facilitating the SGSY beneficiaries, rural artisans, craftsmen and self help groups (SHGs) to exhibit and sell their products. It also provides them the opportunity for additional income as well as wide scale interactions and significant exposure. This exhibition-cum-sale under the brand name of SARAS will display a wide range of products manufactured by the rural artisans, craftsmen and beneficiaries of Self Help Groups from all over the country. It will create an unique platform for developing linkages between the buyers and sellers and also provides an opportunity to deal directly with the buyers.
Around 195 SHGs representing 22 States & different parts of the county are participating in this SARAS mela at Dilli Haat Pitampura.
Some of the special attractions for this SARAS are Metal work products from Madhya Pradesh, Sambalpur Saris from Orissa, Wood-works from Tamil Nadu, Bamboo Craft from Tripura, Madhubani paintings from Bihar, Terracotta’s from Chhattisgarh, Shawls & Carpets from Jammu & Kashmir and Kantha stitch work from West Bengal. Arrangements are also being made to set up attractive food stalls. Another major attraction of the mega event is the presentation of divergent cultural programmes of different States which will be held throughout the duration of the Mela.
It is the first time that the Ministry of the Rural Development is organizing SARAS Mela at Dilli Haat Pitampura. It will last for 16 days till October 4, 2009.