Staff reporter
Guwahati: The 14th Edition of the Asomi Saras Mela, 2024, concluded on Sunday. Minister of Panchayat and Rural Development, Ranjeet Kumar Dass, inaugurated the Mela at Veterinary Ground, Khanapara, Guwahati, on November 30.
Addressing the media on Monday, Minister Ranjeet Dass said, “The Asomi Saras Mela 2024-25 continues to attract an overwhelming response from visitors, with total sales reaching an impressive Rs. 19.69 crore by the end of the final day. On the other hand, the total sale in the Asomi Saras Mela 2023-24 was Rs. 8.74 crore. The sales have increased more than 100% as compared to the earlier year sales.”
Das said that the Purnima Mahila Self Help Group (SHG) under Lakhimpur District had the highest sale with Rs 1.04 crore. On the other hand, Abhilash SHG under Sivasagar District gets the second position in selling with Rs 93.94 lakh, and Bishbhani JK SHG under Lakhimpur District sold Rs. 84.57 lakh, securing the third position in selling.
The minister said that the Mela featured 238 stalls, representing SHGs and rural entrepreneurs from Assam and 26 other states. A total of 138 stalls of SHG participated from Assam, while the remaining number of stalls were from outside the state. The total sale of stalls from Assam in handloom, handicraft, and others was Rs 11.07 crore, and the sale of other states in this category was Rs 6.71 crore. The overall sales of food stalls were Rs 1.91 crore. The minister further said, “The cumulative digital transaction during the Mela is around 2.48 crore.”
The Saras Fair is an initiative by the Ministry of Rural Development (MORD). In Assam, Saras Mela is known as Asomi Saras Mela and was organized under the aegis of the Assam State Rural Livelihood Mission (ASRLM), which celebrates the artistry of rural artisans and entrepreneurs by offering them a platform to showcase and sell their unique products and crafts every year. This mela empowers the rural SHG members to connect with the urban communities and showcase their skills and crafts, highlighting the rich culture and heritage of Assam.
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