Saras Mela 2025: Various rural initiatives and efforts to create employment for self-reliant women are playing a special role in the development of Tripura. One of these initiatives is the ‘Tripura Rural Livelihood Mission’. This mission has undertaken various projects to make rural women self-reliant, one of which is the ‘Saras Mela’. Recently, the second Saras Mela was inaugurated at the Bishramganj Mini Stadium in Tripura, which has created enthusiasm and joy among the people of the entire region.
The fair was inaugurated by Tripura Fisheries Minister Sudhanshu Das. He lit the lamp on the inaugural day of the fair and inaugurated the three-day festival. In his speech at the event, the Minister said, “Thousands of rural women are earning their livelihood today through the Tripura Rural Livelihood Mission. The products they produce are reaching different parts of the country and are also getting good prices in the market.” He further said, “The Saras Mela is a huge opportunity for our rural women entrepreneurs, where they can showcase their products and take their potential to new heights.”
Officials at various levels, local leaders, rural women, and visitors were present at the inauguration ceremony today. The organizers of the fair said that the products made by self-help groups and self-reliant women from different parts of Tripura, as well as from different parts of the country, are being displayed at the fair. They further said, “This is a kind of business platform where rural women can market their products and get new opportunities.”
Products displayed at the fair (Saras Mela):
There were more than a hundred stalls at the second Saras Mela. Various types of products including household items, winter clothes, handicrafts, cottage industries, traditional textiles, pots and pans, baskets and pulleys, food items were being sold here. This fair is not only a center for business transactions, but it is also a magnificent place for culture and tradition. Rural women from different regions are displaying these products made with their own skills and creativity. The visitors to the fair were showing special interest in these products.
In addition, local farmers are also selling their vegetables, fruits and other agricultural products at the fair. Traditional Tripuran foods such as ‘Khai’, ‘Chutni’, ‘Misthanna’, ‘Pithe-Puli’ etc. are available at the local food stalls. These foods have become a special attraction for the visitors to the fair.
Cultural programs:
Several cultural programs are also being held on the occasion of the fair. Local artists are captivating the audience with their music, dance and drama performances. Traditional Tripuran music and dance are being performed at the fair premises, which is providing a different experience to the audience. Such cultural programs are not only entertainment, but also play an important role in promoting and spreading local culture.
In particular, the handicrafts and creative works that rural women create are being displayed at the fair, revealing their talent. These women are able to improve their financial condition through the products they produce. Their presence at the fair is a testament to how effective such initiatives are in bringing about a change in rural livelihoods.
Role of Tripura Grameen Jivika Mission:
Tripura Grameen Jivika Mission (TGLM) is primarily a social enterprise, which aims to empower rural women and improve their livelihoods. Under the mission, various Self-Help Groups (SHGs) have been formed, where women come together to do production, business and marketing related work.
The mission is helping rural women to improve their skills and achieve economic independence. The fair showcases the work of these women on a larger public platform, where they can sell their products and get more opportunities for their productivity.
As an example of the mission, women from different areas of Tripura are earning their livelihood by making Jamdani, Kantha-seli, clay products, woodwork, bamboo products and other handicrafts. In addition to selling these products, they are able to build a strong social network, which is bringing a new direction to their lives.
Social and Economic Impact (Saras Mela):
Not only does this type of fair create business opportunities for women, it also plays an important role in the social and economic development of the entire area. New employment opportunities are being created in the local economy through the initiatives of rural women. In addition, the confidence of the people of rural areas is increasing and they are realizing that it is possible to earn a living through other industries other than agriculture.
Conclusion:
The auspicious start of the second Saras Mela, initiated by the Tripura Rural Livelihood Mission, is considered a very important step. This fair is not only providing a powerful platform for the women of the self-help groups, but it is also opening a new horizon in the rural development of Tripura. Through the fair, cultural programs and displayed products, this initiative is empowering women in the society as well as highlighting various aspects of rural life.
This fair has once again proven that such initiatives can not only empower women, but also create a new bright future for the entire society.
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