The Government is planning to hold melas (fairs) in major cities across the country to provide a platform to self-help groups, rural artisans and craftsmen to display and sell their products.

Inaugurating the Shishir SARAS Mela at Dill Haat here, the Rural Development Minister, Mr Jairam Ramesh, today said organising such melas in cities would provide better platform for the beneficiaries of SHGs, rural artisans and craftsmen to market their products properly and earn a livelihood.

“These people are very skilled… their products are of high quality. But the only thing lacking is the marketing of their products. I think we should focus more on marketing, which will bring SHGs much more benefit,” he said.

Special stalls

He said the government has taken special stalls for SHGs to sell their products in some airports such as Hyderabad, Delhi and Bangalore.

“If we can give them such stalls in many such places, it will be very fruitful for them,” the Minister said.

More than 300 members of the SHGs are attending the Shishir SARAS — Mela — an annual event at Dilli Haat. It will conclude on January 31.

Mr Ramesh said the government has identified an area in the national capital to set up a permanent place like Delhi Haat for CAPART, an autonomous body promoting rural development in the country, to organise such melas.

Global platforms

Mr Ajay Kumar Singh, Director General CAPART, said exhibitions of Indian rural products are also being organised at various international platforms.

A team of rural artisans will visit Dhaka, Lahore and Mexico to showcase the products and talents of the artisans to the international audience, he said.

Mr Singh also said CAPART is making “e-mall, on the line of e-way, to market and sell our products online.”

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