Patna: Heavy rain has failed to keep visitors away from the Bihar Saras Mela at Gyan Bhawan, where women entrepreneurs from 15 states are showcasing handicrafts, traditional foods, folk art and other products.
Organised by the Bihar Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society (JEEViKA) under the direction of the Rural Development Department, Bihar Government, the fair is providing rural women entrepreneurs with access to a wider market and buyers from different parts of the country.
The event will continue until September 29.
Nearly Rs 2 Crore Business In Six Days
Despite heavy rainfall in Patna, the fair recorded more than Rs 32.64 lakh in sales on its sixth day.
The organisers expect the day’s business to cross Rs 50 lakh on Saturday. Overall, approximately Rs 2 crore worth of business has been recorded during the first six days of the fair.
The strong response has also attracted large handicraft traders, who are visiting stalls, interacting with women entrepreneurs and exploring opportunities for larger orders.
15 States Showcase Traditional Products
The Saras Mela has brought together folk art and handicrafts from 15 states, giving women entrepreneurs an opportunity to showcase products rooted in their respective cultural traditions.
Visitors can purchase a range of household products, handicrafts, traditional artwork, food items and other products at the stalls.
The organisers said the fair is also helping traditional crafts reach a wider market while providing rural women entrepreneurs with opportunities to receive better prices for their products.
Buyer-Seller Meets Focus On Larger Markets
JEEViKA, in collaboration with Ernst & Young, is organising regular buyer-seller interactions to connect rural producers with larger commercial and corporate markets.
On Saturday, Neera Muni Sharma of Assam, popularly known as the “Bamboo Lady of India”, interacted with JEEViKA women involved in bamboo and sikki products.
She discussed pricing, finishing and product design based on the requirements of international markets.
Similarly, Vijay Jain from Tamil Nadu, a tea estate owner, held discussions with JEEViKA women involved in tea production.
The discussions covered tea-leaf quality, plucking, processing and attractive packaging, with the aim of helping producers improve the marketability of their products.
Digital Payments Encouraged
The organisers are also promoting digital payments at every stall to make transactions easier for visitors and sellers.
A customer service centre has been set up at the fair venue to facilitate cash deposits and withdrawals. According to the organisers, the centre is handling around Rs 80,000 to Rs 1 lakh in daily deposits and withdrawals, helping visitors who need cash for purchases.
Fair To Continue Till September 29
The Bihar Saras Mela will conclude on September 29, with visitors continuing to arrive despite the rain.
The organisers said the footfall and sales during the first six days have provided women entrepreneurs with an opportunity to reach new customers and explore larger markets.
The event combines the promotion of rural entrepreneurship, traditional crafts and cultural products with buyer-seller interactions aimed at creating longer-term market opportunities for women-led enterprises.
