Patna: Rural women entrepreneurs from 15 states have showcased handicrafts, handloom products, traditional foods and other rural products at the 10-day Bihar Saras Mela, which was inaugurated at Gyan Bhawan by rural development minister Shrawan Kumar on Sunday.Organised by Jeevika under the rural development department, the fair will continue till Sept 29. It aims to provide women entrepreneurs associated with self-help groups a platform to showcase their products and connect with urban and national markets.Rural development minister visited various stalls and interacted with participating women entrepreneurs and examined their handmade products, handicrafts, handloom items, decorative articles, organic products and traditional food items.Jeevika CEO Himanshu Sharma said the fair provided rural women with a platform to showcase their skills and entrepreneurial abilities. He said hundreds of women entrepreneurs from Bihar and 14 other states were participating in the event, bringing products reflecting their respective regions’ crafts, food, traditions and culture.Additional chief secretary of the rural development department H R Srinivas said the fair served as a bridge between rural producers and markets. He said Jeevika’s initiatives had helped connect rural products with urban and national consumers.The inaugural event also saw the launch of a new logo for Biharika, the collective brand of products made by Bihar’s rural women entrepreneurs. The new identity is intended to give greater recognition to their products and help expand their market reach.The minister said the govt had undertaken several initiatives to strengthen women’s livelihoods, including the Sustainable Livelihoods Scheme and Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana. He appealed to Patna residents to visit the fair and support rural women entrepreneurs by purchasing their products.
