CM Naveen Patnaik Inaugurates Sisir Saras 2018

CM Naveen Patnaik Inaugurates Sisir Saras 2018

Bhubaneswar, Jan 5: On the occasion of the 25th anniversary  of Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society’ (ORMAS), chief minister Naveen Patnaik launched a mobile application ORMAS Mayur Shilpa, during the inauguration of Sisir Saras exhibition which started at Exhibition Ground, here on Friday. The application helps to promote rural products and facilitate sales.Hosted by ORMAS, an autonomous body under Panchayati Raj department, the exhibition provides an avenue for sale and display of rural products by rural artisans and producers.This year, Sisir Saras has around 300 kiosks with more than 630 participants from 24 states. Appreciating the achievements of ORMAS, Naveen Patnaik hoped that more rural artisans and producers would be benefited in future. Similarly, speaking at the event Panchayati Raj department minister Pradeep Maharathy said, “We will try our best to spend the entire amount on the development of rural artisans and provide them resources, skills and financial benefits.”While the exhibition made a business of around Rs. 9.56 crores, last year; the authorities are expecting a business of around Rs. 11 crores, this year, with the number of stalls increased compared to last year. Handicrafts made from carved wood and stone, madhubani and pattachitra paintings, dhokra craft, durry carpets, cane and bamboo works of Assam and Tripura, dry flowers from Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, wooden artifacts from Karnataka and jute bags of West Bengal are some of the major attractions at the fair.Apparels made from various hand-woven fabrics including silk, tussar, and cotton are also available at the fair. Some of the prominent handlooms include meenakari from Rajasthan, chanderi silk of Madhya Pradesh, woolen products of Manipur, multicoloured bandhani of Gujarat and phulkari-designed salwar suits of Punjab.

Every year Sisir Saras attracts many visitors for the availability of a large number of spices and items like phulabadi and sabupampad.Talking to MCL, Apong from Nagaland who owns a dry flower stall at the exhibition said, “I have been coming to Odisha since 2016. This year I also had a stall at Toshali Mela where I did a good business. I am hopeful to do a good business here also.” She added further, “Though there is competition with many other stalls selling dry flowers, but it’smore about good design and furnishing in the end.”Cultural performances by troupes from different states and from Odisha have been scheduled during the evenings. Food stalls selling traditional delicacies from various parts of the country have also been set up.

Pictures by: Rakesh Roul