Agartala, Nov 18: Handloom weaving and Handicrafts by Tripura artisans have always been the most vibrant aspects of the state’s cultural heritage.
 
To promote beautifully crafted handloom waves and handmade products of the rural artisans, Tripura government organizes Saras Fair every year. It is an initiative to provide direct access to the handloom weavers and artisans to market their products to consumers.
 
This year, Tripura Rural Livelihood Mission (TRLM) under the Rural Development department is organizing the Regional Saras Fair- 2022 at Hapania International Fair Ground from November 17 to 30 next.
 
The fair inaugurated by Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha in presence of others on Friday will exhibit the skills of local artisans in weaving handlooms and making various products. It will also enable an interface between the weavers/artisans and consumers.
 
Around 340 stalls—321 from local Self Help Groups and six from outside the state are participating in the Saras Fair this year.
 
Apart from promoting the skills of the local artisans, the Saras fair also gives an impression about the growth of rural women through the Self Help Groups.

In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, the Tripura government has also set its goal to make the state Swanirbhar. To achieve the target, social and financial empowerment of women became an important part. And, the SHG movement is silently making the women self-reliant, giving them access to financial activities.
 
While addressing the inaugural ceremony, the Tripura Chief Minister also mentioned about the rise of the Self help Groups (SHGs) over the past few years.
 
“There were only 39,824 women members in 4153 Self Help Groups till 2018-19. After the formation of the new government in 2018, the number of SHGs has increased to 38,657 with the involvement of 3,45,000 rural women,” the Chief Minister said.
 
Mayor of Agartala Municipal Corporation Dipak Majumder, Badharghat MLA Mimi Majumder, Rural Development secretary Sandeep Rathod, TRLM CEO Smitha Mol, West Tripura District Magistrate Debapriya Bardhan and others were present in the inaugural ceremony.