Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Sept 16: Highlighting the need of organizing different melas at local and national level, the Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Ali Mohammad Sagar has said that these prove pivotal in providing the much needed markets for the local artisans to showcase their goods besides interacting with their counterparts from different states of the country.
The Minister was addressing artisans and people from different walks of life after inaugurating 12 day 8th Regional SARAS mela being organized by the Department of Rural Development here today.
Director Rural Development, Kashmir, Mir Altaf Ahmad and other senior officers of the department were present on the occasion.
Mr. Sagar said that these types of melas should be organized regularly in different areas of the state also so that local artisans get the required exposure which is very important for them to sell their goods and create markets for themselves. He said that these would go a long way in boosting the local economy and creating the much needed job opportunities for the different Self-Help-Groups participating in these types of events.
It is pertinent to mention that about 500 artisans, 263 Self-Help-Groups from 16 states including J&K are participating in the 12 day 8th Regional SARAS mela. They would be showcasing their different products to the prospective buyers besides it would also go a long way in helping them to interact with each other.
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