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New Delhi : Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Rural Development, Panchayati Raj and Food Processing Minister Narendra Singh Tomar inaugurated Saras Aajeevika Mela 2021 at Noida Haat on February 26, 2021.  Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Kailash Choudhary was also present on the occasion.

Addressing the gathering, Tomar said that the Ministry of Rural Development is working to include more women in Self Help Groups (SHGs). He said these SHGs played a vital role in increasing family income and improving quality of life.

Speaking about the PM’s call for self-reliant India, Tomar said Atmanirbharta can’t be achieved only by Government’s schemes and efforts. People’s participation is a must and SHGs can play a major role in achieving this goal. He urged the empowered SHGs to come forward and help other SHGs to become Atmanirbhar, according to a PIB release.

Kailash Choudhary appreciated the efforts of SHGs during COVID times in  employing rural women. He said our SHGs have the potential to produce export quality material and with the help of these SHGs, the country can achieve the dream of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Nagendra Nath Sinha, Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development, advised the SHGs and craftsmen to understand consumer’s demand to improve the products. He said the Ministry will give publicity to the Mela through advertisement and SMS marketing so that all participants  get a chance to showcase their products to a large number of audience.

The Saras Aajeevika Mela 2021 has been organised from February 26, 2021, to March 14, 2021, by the Ministry of Rural Development. More than 300 rural self-help groups and craftsman from 27 states are participating at the Mela. Around 150 stalls and 15 food-stalls serving regional cuisines have been set up at the Mela. During the Mela, workshops on product packaging and design, communication skills, social media publicity, and Business 2 Business marketing will be organised to educate the rural self-help groups and craftsman. The Mela will remain open from 11 am to 8 pm daily.