Politics
Minister asked CAPART to organize Saras Melas in bigger cities so that rural artisans get opportunities to market their products
Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh said that providing markets to the products of the skilled rural artisans remains the most important challenge facing the Centre and the state governments.
Inaugurating the sixth Shishir Saras Mela at Dilli Haat in the capital on 17 January 2012, he said that the success of the mela lies in the wholehearted participation of the artisan community from all parts of the country. This year more than 300 women self-help groups, rural artisans and craftsmen from all parts of the country have put up stalls at Dilli Haat, which provides an opportunity to mostly the BPL beneficiaries to sell their products and earn additional income, besides gaining national and international exposure.
Ramesh said that the efforts will also be made to provide space to the self help groups at the big airports to sell the valuable products. The Minister also asked the Council for Advancement of People's Action and Rural Technology (CAPART) to organize Saras Melas in bigger cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Bangalore so that rural artisans get opportunities to market their products throughout the year.
Speaking on the occasion, the Director General of CAPART, A.K.Singh said, the department is trying to provide a permanent marketing place to the rural artisans and talks are on with the DDA for a suitable plot in the capital. He said, moreover Saras artisans will visit Bangladesh, Pakistan and Mexico to put up stalls after the recent successful visit to Shanghai. He said, this exhibition-cum-sale covers a wide range of products from all over the country and paves the way for developing linkages with the buyers. The Mela will remain open till 31 January 2012.
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