SARAS Fair kicks off showcasing skills of rural folks
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, November 02 2021: The SARAS Fair is a platform which provides the rural poor, marginal producers (farm and non-farm) opportunity to showcase their products, capacity, ability and skills of livelihood after completion of training, said the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Thongam Biswajit Singh today.

The Minister was speaking at the inaugural function of the Regional SARAS Fair, 2021 at Iboyaima Shumangleela Shanglen.

Addressing the inaugural function, Thongam Biswajit Singh said that the stalls in the SARAS Fair are opened by Self Help Groups under the Village Level Federations.

The Minister said that the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) is one of the most important flagship programmes of the Government.

The Manipur State Rural Livelihoods Mission (MSRLM) is established in the State to implement the NRLM.

He continued that the MSRLM has already covered eight districts, 27 blocks, 251 Gram Panchayats and 460 villages.

He continued that under the MSRLM, 2981 Self Help Groups have been formed, covering 33,204 households and 174 Village Level Federations.

SARAS Fair kicks off showcasing skills of rural folks

Th Biswajit further said that members of Self Help Groups should be clear and determined about activities to be taken up after formation of their SHG.

The Minister also spoke on the importance of the Mission for Economic Empowerment of Traditional Artisans & Craftsmen (MEETAC) and suggested capacity building training for the SHGs under MEETAC.

He said this will help in improving the quality of the products.

Further stating that proper packaging is also important in value addition of a product, he further suggested packaging training programmes for the SHGs.

He continued that to make an Atmanirbhar Bharat, 'we need an Atmanirbhar Manipur, a self-sufficient State' .

It is quite encouraging that the focus is on local products at the SARAS Fair, he said adding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call is to be "Vocal for Local" .

Thongam Biswajit further sought cooperation from all sections of the society to build a strong Manipur.

MLA Oinam Assembly Constituency L Radhakishor Singh spoke about the need to support the local artisans and said 'we should promote and support our local products so as to enhance the livelihood of our rural artisans' .

He further appreciated the local artisans for their efforts.

MLA and Chairman (MANIDCO) Dr Radheshyam Yumnam and Addl Chief Secretary, RD&PR MH Khan also attended the inaugural function.

The SARAS Fair, 2021 which has 128 stalls showcasing handloom products, modernised handicraft, carved woods, shawls, vegetables, spices, processed food items, cane and bamboo products, skilled related products, and others from various districts of the State, will continue till November 10, 2021 .