Patna: The first edition of the Bihar Saras Mela in the current financial year concluded at Gyan Bhawan, Patna, after nine days of business, attracting more than 3.5 lakh visitors and generating sales worth over Rs 3.83 crore.
The figures surpassed the performance of last year’s first edition, which recorded around Rs 3.68 crore in sales.
The fair was organised to provide a larger market for rural products, promote women’s entrepreneurship and give self-help groups a platform to showcase and sell locally produced goods.
Over 3.5 Lakh People Visit the Fair
More than 3.5 lakh people reportedly visited the Bihar Saras Mela during its nine-day run.
Visitors purchased products and food items displayed by women entrepreneurs associated with self-help groups from Bihar and other states.
The fair provided participating entrepreneurs with an opportunity to promote their products directly to consumers and expand their market reach.
Women Entrepreneurs From 15 States Participate
Women entrepreneurs associated with self-help groups from 15 states, along with participants from all districts of Bihar, took part in the event.
The stalls featured a wide range of traditional products, handicrafts, food items, clothing and household goods representing different regions of the country.
Products from several states attracted particular attention from visitors, including kitchen items from Rajasthan, bedsheets and garments from Uttar Pradesh and dry fruits from Kashmir.
Digital Payments Available at All 135 Stalls
Digital payments were also promoted at the fair.
All 135 stalls at the Bihar Saras Mela offered facilities for digital transactions, allowing visitors to purchase products using digital payment methods.
The initiative provided participating women entrepreneurs with an opportunity to adopt digital commerce alongside traditional face-to-face sales.
Next Saras Mela Proposed at Gandhi Maidan
The next edition of the Bihar Saras Mela is proposed to be held at Gandhi Maidan in Patna from December 14 to 28.
The second edition is expected to be organised on a larger scale, with continued emphasis on rural products, self-help groups and women’s entrepreneurship.
The proposed Gandhi Maidan edition is expected to provide participating entrepreneurs with another platform to reach a larger urban customer base.
Rural Products Get a Larger Market
The Bihar Saras Mela is aimed at connecting rural producers and women-led self-help groups with consumers while creating opportunities for them to promote and expand their businesses.
With sales crossing Rs 3.83 crore during the latest edition, the event has provided a significant marketplace for products made by rural entrepreneurs and self-help groups.
