SARAS Ajeevika Fair at Bagh-e-Bahu, Jammu was held to promote the artisans, women entrepreneurs of various Self Help Groups from across the country. An effort of Jammu & Kashmir Rural Livelihoods Mission (JKRLM), the fair, a first-of-its kind was an 11-day-long event held from February 4 to February 14, 2023. The fair witnessed participation of women Self Help Groups from around 17 states and UTs from across the country.
Commissioner Secretary, Rural Development Department (RDD) and Panchayati Raj, Mandeep Kaur visited SARAS Ajeevika Fair at Bagh-e-Bahu. Commissioner Secretary was accompanied by Additional Mission Director JKRLM, Jammu, Mridhu Slathia and other officials of the Mission.
Commissioner Secretary said that this SARAS Fair is witnessing an exchange of urban and rural cultures among the participants who have come from different parts of the country. “SARAS not only provides them with economic uplift and immense business opportunities but they also get an opportunity to learn about each other’s rich culture and tradition”, she maintained.
The mega event provided a platform to the rural SHG women to sell and promote their self-made products and create marketing linkages with various selling platforms. About sixty stalls and 10 food courts were set up at the exhibition site showcasing unique crafts, handicrafts, handloom and cuisines of different regions.
Pertinently, SARAS Mela is a remarkable initiative of Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) which aims to provide a platform to rural artisans to showcase their skills and products and also develop a market for themselves. It provides a lucrative opportunity for rural producers to sell their products directly in major markets, interact with the buyers and study and comprehend the latter’s tastes, preferences and choices. Thus, it helps them to upgrade and tailor their products, hone marketing skills and provide superlative services to consumers while benefiting from larger marketing opportunities. The Mela aims to eradicate middlemen between the craftsperson and the local buyers and ensure increase in margins for the artisans.
