Saras Mela 2018, Sheesh Mahal Patiala, 21 Feb-4 March
The Regional Saras Fair, Patiala-2018 is an endeavor by the District Rural Development Agency, Patiala under the agies of the Ministry of Rural Development, Govt. of India, to give a fillip to the confidence and enthusiasm of rural artisans and officials dealing with the self-employment programmes. It is an important event in the chain for assisting these artisans, opening new opportunities for them, improving their awareness levels and exposing the richness of products from rural poor to the huge urban markets.
This exhibition cum fair will display a wide range of products manufactured by rural artisans, craftsmen and beneficiaries of Self Help Group across the country. The Fair aims at creating a unique platform for developing linkages with customers and providing opportunities to artisans to interact with buyers directly.
SARAS Mela was a major initiative taken by the Ministry of Rural Development with a view of promoting rural products and building capacities of Swarozgaris during 1999-2000 when it participated in India International Trade Fair (IITF), 1999 under the banner of SARAS. It was organized, for the first time, with a view toi give exposure to rural artisans / entrepreneurs / officials dealing with SWARAN JAYANTI GRAM SWAROZGAR YOJNA (SGSY) to a major international event in the country to develop markets for products manufactured by beneficiaries of programmes of the Ministry: and to create awareness amongst urban consumers about rural products. SARAS was promoted as an umbrella brand for promoting all the rural products.
Since 1999, SARAS exhibition had been a regular annual event but from this year it has become a biannual event in every state of India
Regional SARAS Fair at Patiala this year is exhibiting around 150 stalls of DRDAs Rural BPL Artisans from different states of Indian displaying a range of product like handicrafts, handlooms, phulkaris, chikan suits and other fabrics, cane and wrought iron furniture, pottery, pickles and other eatables.
Another major attraction will be live cultural performances by folk artist from Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Orissa, Haryana, Uttrakhand, west Bengal and Punjab in the evening every day from 21st Feb to 4th March during the Regional Saras Fair Patiala- 2018
