The prime object of the state government to empower the women and to achieve the dreams of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ‘empowerment of women and their self-reliant’, the government working round the clod, said Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha inaugurating the 17th Regional SARAS fair-2022 at Hapania international fair ground in Agartala on Friday.

The prime object of the state government to empower the women and to achieve the dreams of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ‘empowerment of women and their self-reliant’, the government working round the clod, said Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha inaugurating the 17th Regional SARAS fair-2022 at Hapania international fair ground in Agartala on Friday.

The Saras fair organised by Tripura Rural Livelihood Mission (TRLM) of the Rural Development Department state government, Dr Saha in his inaugural speech said that the country has given maximum effort to empower the women. He said that about 75 % of the population of the country lives in rural areas and without empowering the rural women, the country never gets its ultimate success as a developing nation of the world.

Giving the statistic of the Self-help-Groups (SHGs) said that in 2017-18, altogether 39,082 women were in state’s SHGs and after formation of the present government , the number of the participating women has increased at 3.45 lakh, said Dr Saha and added that in 2017-18, the number of SHGs were 4,153 and now it has increased to 38,657. Similarly, a sum of Rs.32.67 crore has been given to SHGs as revolving fund and now it has increased to 347.61 crore.

Friday along with Agartala City Mayor Dipak Majumdar, Chairperson Paschim Tripura Zilla Parishad Antara Deb Sarkar, MLA Mimi Majumdar, Special Secretary (RDD) Dr Sandeep R Rathud, DM of West Tripura district Debapriya Bardhan and Chief Executive Officer of the TRLM Smitha Mol were also present in the inaugural programme, but a booklet titled Lakh Pati Didi – containing the success stories of SHG women members whose annual income was more than 1 lakh rupees, is also unveiled amid the huge presence of enthusiastic SHG members. While, amidst colourful inauguration of the programme the absence of six invitees’ ministers including Deputy Chief Minister Jishnu Dev Varma has raised many questions.

Inaugurating the 13-day (from 18-30th November 2022) Regional SARAS (Sale of Articles of Rural Artisans Society) Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha advocated the slogan of 'Vocal for Local' and urged everyone to buy locally made products in the state. He said that the state government is transparently working in all directions. There is no question of nepotism. As per the guidance of the most famous and visionary Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi his government puts special emphasis on rural women and is committed to working on empowering women, including doubling farmers' income. This year’s theme of the SARAS fair is ‘Mother empowerment in every house’, will be self-employed and the CM urges everyone to get it in a mission mode.

TRLM,' CEO Smitha Mol welcomes the guests and participants. Special Secretary (RDD) Dr Sandeep R Rathud said marketing of products made by the different SHGs is one of the major constraints and the government allows it to showcase and sell its product under the brand name SARAS to get accustomed to the trading community by interacting directly with the customers. A total of 300 SHGs from different parts of the state including two SHGs from Sikkim and Meghalaya participated in the fair with their indigenous products from handloom, handicrafts, artefact and heritage products, tribal ornaments, decorative items, metallic products, earthen pots and utensils, organic vegetables food items, spices, processed food products, soft toys, utility items, including many other exclusive items at an affordable rate.