Bhubaneswar: Sisir Saras-2020, the national level rural fair is going to be organised by Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society(ORMAS) here at Exbibition ground from January 4 to 14, 2020. Around 25 states from India are going to participate in this national level mega event.

The State panchyati raj minister, Pratap Jena, said at a presser that this pan India mela aims to create market linkage of rural producers as part of the poverty alleviation programme and to provide larger platform of sale and display of the products made by SHG/PG.

ORMAS is organising the Mela in association with Odisha Livelihoods Mission, Mission Shakti, H & CI, KVIC, KVIB and NABARD. This year as many as 300 numbers of stalls will be opened in the Mela ground.

Bamboo crafts, decorative flowers, winter garments from North East, handloom, silk & rot iron works from UP, Tasar from MP, Chhattisgarh household decorative items from Rajasthan and Gujarat, food items from Maharashtra, handloom & home furnishing products from Andhra Pradesh and Tamilnadu, Phulkari garment products of Punjab, wollen and dress materials from J & K will be the centre of attraction.

Besides, SHGs/PG from all the 30 districts of Odisha shall participate with their products; like Terracotta items from Balasore, Bolangir, Keonjhar, Subarnapur; Food & Spices from Rayagada, Kandhamala, Nuapada; Handloom Items from Bargarh, Subarnpur, Bolangir Forest Products from Koraput, Mayurbhanj, Malkangiri, Kalahandi; Kaincha work of Kendrapada, Sabai –Baripada, Teak Wood Work-Mayurbhanj and other such household products shall be a part of this mega event.. Beyond the marketing scenario, the event will also have cultural events scheduled on every evening of Sisir Saras 2020.

ORMAS CEO SR Pradhan said that the Mela last year had earned Rs 14 crore from sales. This year it is expected that the business will cross Rs 15 crore, he expected.

Jount secretary Swyam Prava Mohanty said that the cultural events like Odissi dance, Odia and Hindi melody nights, folk dance and light comedy shows would entertain the visitors.