Saras fair underway

Imphal: Eight-day Regional Saras Fair, 2021 was launched on Saturday with 150 stalls opened showcasing several products of handlooms, handicrafts, edible items etc., at Iboyaima Shumangleela Shanglen, Palace compound, Imphal.

Rural development and Panchayati Raj minister Thongam Biswajit Singh inaugurated the fair organised by Manipur State Rural Livelihoods Mission, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj.
“ Manipur State Rural Livelihhoods Mission is functioning at 27 blocks covering more than 2500 households with an aim to empower women residing in the rural areas,” Biswajit said.

The department is organising the Saras Fair amid the covid-19 pandemic by strictly following SOP and guidelines issued the government, he added.

He called for active participation among the self help groups and to attend capacity building training programmes. He also stressed the importance of involvement for increasing their livelihood.
He highlighted the importance of Meetac and assure to impart capacity building to the Self Help Groups by the artisan of Meetac.

Minister also encouraged the SHGS to have patience and to work hard in order to achieved their goal.
He said that Commerce and Industries department will provide value addition training and Meetac will provide capacity building training for the SHGS in order to increase their livelihood.
Biswajit called for empowering women as empowered women will play a key role in developing our socities.

Chairman of Manipur Handlooms and Handicrafts Co-operation Limited Sh. Achouba Singh said, “Regional Saras Fair provides platform for artisan and weaver to showcase their products and talents. And we need to promote and encourage the artisans and weavers of the state.”