Commissioner Secretary RDD visits SARAS Ajeevika Fair Jammu; Interacts with SHG women

JAMMU, FEBRUARY 10: Commissioner Secretary, Rural Development Department (RDD) and Panchayati Raj, Mandeep Kaur today visited SARAS Ajeevika Fair at Bagh-e-Bahu here.

She was accompanied by Additional Mission Director JKRLM Jammu Mridhu Slathia ,and other official of the Mission.

On her arrival she visited and interacted with the Artisans, Self-Help Groups women entrepreneurs from across the country.

During the interaction she took feedback from the Shg women participating in the Mela regarding their experiences in Mela and the sales made by the members.

She also appreciated such a grand effort being taken by Jammu Kashmir Rural Livelihoods Mission(JKRLM) in Jammu.

In Jammu SARAS Fair is witnessing an exchange of urban and rural cultures. Women have come from different parts of the country.

SARAS not only provides them with economic upliftment and immense opportunities but they get an opportunity to learn about each other’s rich culture and tradition.

The fair is witnessing participation of women Self Help Groups from around 17 States and UTs across the country. The 11-day-long fair is first of its kind in the Union Territory of J&K. The mega event provided a platform for the rural SHG women to sell and promote their self-made products & create marketing linkages with various selling platforms. Sixty  stalls and 10 food courts have been set up at the exhibition site showcasing crafts, handicrafts, handloom and cuisine.

It is to mention that SARAS Mela is a noteworthy 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. SARAS Mela provides a lucrative opportunity to rural producers to sell their products directly in major markets, to interact with the buyers; to 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 ensures to increase the margins for the artisans.

The Mela started on 4th February and will conclude on 14th February 2023.