The story of rural women's self-sufficiency resonates in Saris Mela

Patna: A vivid picture of the economic and social transformation taking place in the rural areas can be seen prominently in the ongoing Bihar Saras Mela at Patna's Gyan Bhawan. Skilled women who till yesterday were confined to the four walls of their homes are today not only making their mark as successful businesswomen but also setting new examples of self-sufficiency and self-reliance. This Saras Mela organized by the Bihar Rural Employment Promotion Committee (JIVICA) organized by the Bihar Rural Development Department will continue till September 29, 2026. Stories of rural women's entrepreneurship, skills and self-reliance are prominently featured in the fair. Women from 15 states, more than 135 stalls, women affiliated to self-help groups of 15 states are participating with handicrafts, folk art, traditional products and famous dishes from their regions. At more than 135 stalls, women are presenting their success stories along with displaying and selling their products. Saras Mela is not just a center for buying and selling, but is also becoming a means to expose people to the country's ancient handicrafts, arts, culture, traditions and indigenous flavors. A large number of people are arriving at the fair every day, due to which a lot of enthusiasm is seen among the participants. Business of more than 68.56 lakh rupees in three days. On the third day of the fair, on Tuesday, products and food items worth more than 25 lakh 37 thousand rupees were sold. Thus, in three days, the total turnover of Saras Mela has exceeded 68 lakh 56 thousand rupees. A large number of people are visiting the fair every day and are enjoying the traditional dishes of different states along with purchasing the products. Buyers and sellers dialogue on quality, branding and marketing. For this purpose, a 'Buyer-Seller Meet' is being organized daily between the buyers and sellers. In this regard, a special meeting of the Buyer-Seller Meet was held on Wednesday in the Gyan Bhawan premises of Sirs Mela in collaboration with Jiveka and Ernst & Young. It discussed in detail various aspects of Bihar's traditional products like Bhoja, Sattu, Atta, Makhana, Maize, Tea Leaf, Protein Bar and Handicraft products, including quality improvement, fair pricing, branding, market and marketing. The meeting was attended by representatives of various organizations including Sattuj, NCDEX Limited, FPC and Platform India Pvt. Buyers also made important suggestions regarding linking products to national markets and e-commerce platforms.
In three days, Amrita Devi sold clothes worth more than 250,000. Khadi dresses are also in high demand along with products and traditional dishes at the Seras Mela. Amrita Devi from Kharig block of Bhagalpur district is a prominent example of this, who sold cotton and khadi clothes worth more than two and a half lakh rupees in just three days. Amrita Devi has been associated with Chanda Jeevika Women Self Help Group since 2018. With Jeevika's encouragement and a loan from the group, he started a small-scale cotton and khadi cloth business. On the bill of her hard work, talent and entrepreneurship, today she has established a mini-factory, where more than 24 Jeevika Didis and their families are getting employment. Amrita Devi's success has emerged as an example of self-reliance, self-employment and empowerment of rural women. Hundreds of such women are telling the story of the economic transformation taking place in rural areas through their products at different stalls of Saris Mela. Saris Mela is conveying the message that if women are given the right opportunities, training and encouragement, they can not only change their lives but also play an important role in changing the direction of the family and society through economic self-sufficiency.