JAMMU: The second edition of the SARAS Aajeevika Mela, a colourful 11-day event that highlights the tenacity and inventiveness of rural women entrepreneurs, was officially opened today by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo. The show, which echoed the idea of “vocal for local,” was organised by the Jammu & Kashmir Rural Livelihoods Mission (JKRLM) under the Department of Rural Development & Panchayti Raj. It welcomed a wide range of artistic, creative, cultural, and culinary creations. Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Secretary of the Rural Development Department and Panchayati Raj, Indu Kanwal Chib, Mission Director of the J&K Rural Livelihoods Mission, Mridhu Slathia, Additional Mission Director of JKRLM Jammu, Riyaz Ahmad Beigh, and other concerned parties accompanied him.During the opening ceremony, the Chief Secretary underlined the importance of the exhibition as a venue for rural women to showcase and sell their goods from all across the nation, including Jammu and Kashmir. He emphasised how crucial it is to give rural women more exposure and assistance in order to guarantee their independence. Atal Dulloo personally inspected booths from fifteen states, as well as those from every district in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Uttarakhand. He spoke with exhibitors, asking about the distinctiveness of their products and praising their spirit of entrepreneurship. Subsequently, the Chief Secretary visited the food stalls, which served authentic Jammu & Kashmiri cuisine in addition to traditional treats from other states.This endeavour encourages economic development and cross-cultural exchange in addition to showcasing the vast range of cuisine. The SARAS Aajeevika Mela, which showcases more than 220 rural women from 15 states, gives self-help group women artisans a stage on which to display their exceptional artistry, craftsmanship, and traditional abilities. With 60 distinct stalls showcasing a fusion of products from various parts of India, including 40 from outside the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the festival presents a rich tapestry of Pan India. Expect to see a wide variety of exquisitely made handloom and handicraft items, including textiles, ceramics, metalwork, woodworking, and paintings, when you visit the SARAS Aajeevika Mela.Performances of traditional music and dance will enhance the lively atmosphere while honouring Jammu and Kashmir’s rich cultural legacy. The primary goals of the SARAS Aajeevika Mela are to give rural women a venue to showcase their wares, develop a market where they may sell their goods to consumers directly, and learn about the preferences and choices of their patrons. The Mela also seeks to improve and innovate items as well as hone the marketing skills of the rural women craftsmen. Along with encouraging financial independence, the fair offers members of self-help groups (SHGs) funded by the Jammu & Kashmir Rural Livelihoods Mission a venue to display and market their goods. Every stall at the Mela is run by strong, independent women members of SHGs, and they provide a variety of goods to suit a wide range of interests and preferences. In addition to sales and exhibitions, SARAS Aajeevika Jammu 2.0 will offer a range of cultural events and programmes to engage and amuse guests. Additionally, the organisers are dedicated to supporting eco-friendly behaviours, such using cloth bags and paper packing instead of plastic ones to reduce plastic usage. Systems for managing waste will be implemented to guarantee hygienic conditions and cleanliness during the event. Every day from 10 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., the SARAS Aajeevika Mela will be open, giving guests the chance to peruse about 60 stalls showcasing a range of art and craft. Furthermore, a session aimed at improving the marketing abilities of women from self-help groups will be arranged.
