Tata Steel?s corporate sustainability services (CSS) division is organising the 17th Gram Shree Mela here from March 14 to 23.
Tata Steel Rural Development Society (TSRDS) has been organizing the Gram Shree Mela since the early 1990s in collaboration with Council for Advancement of People?s Action and Rural Technology (Capart), a non-governmental organisation supported by the central government to promote rural handicrafts.
National Bank for Agriculture & Rural Development (Nabard) has also agreed to join in as a collaborator this year.
Different NGOs and traditional artisans from nearly 16 states– Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, UP, Uttaranchal, J&K– are expected to participate in the mela, which will cost the organisers around Rs 11 lakh.
This will not only provide the artisans a chance to display their products but also give them an opening to market and opportunity to develop further linkages.
Around 124 stalls are to be put up for about 60 products ranging from handlooms, Dokra art, jute products, silk products, garments, paintings, lac and other jewellery, cane & woodwork, toys, etc.
Of the total stalls, Capart is supporting 40. The Nabard pavilion will have around 25 stalls.
