The National Saras Mela, which showcases Indian diversity was kicked off with a huge turnout at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kaloor, Ernakulam on 21 December 2023. Shri. M.B Rajesh, Minister, Local Self Government Department & Excise Department, Government of Kerala inaugurated the Saras Fair online. The Minister said that the role of Kudumbashree is crucial in empowering Kerala women's lives socially, economically and politically. The most important area of Kudumbashree is economic empowerment. Kudumbashree is implementing it through entrepreneurship- skills development. Kudumbashree is involved in economic empowerment in a wide way through 85,000 enterprises, 74,000 Joint Liability Groups and 14,000 groups working in the animal husbandry sector. He added.
Through Kudumbashree, the women community in Kerala has also been able to make entrepreneurship development possible. Saras Mela is lined up with women who have proved their proficiency in the field of entrepreneurship. Saras is the country's premier fair for women entrepreneurs. About 200 entrepreneurs from Kerala have been a part of Saras Mela. Out of the 250 exhibition stalls set up in association with Saras Mela, 90 stalls belong to other states. The minister said that Saras is envisioned as a fair where Kudumbashree entrepreneurs and products are introduced to the consumers and marketing opportunities are created for the entrepreneurs. The main attraction of the Saras Mela is the Indian Food Court. In all the last nine Saras Melas held in Kerala, the food court has attracted people the most. More than 300 cuisines in India are available under one roof. With 120 talented women chefs working in Kudumbashree's catering sector, Saras will serve dishes from within and outside Kerala. The Minister said. Saras comes up with the concept of 'India on a Plate' where all the dishes of India can be enjoyed in one bowl. He added.
Kudumbashree's food court was the main attraction of the Keraleeyam event, which had 30,000 to 40,000 visitors per day. Saras Mela is organized in collaboration with the State Government, local bodies and the National Rural Livelihood Mission. In the last 9 Saras Melas, Rs 85 crores were received through the sales of 2000 entrepreneurs. The Minister also said that the Saras Mela, which was received in the hearts of the entire Kerala, will be a great success in Ernakulam as well.
Presiding over the function online, Shri. P Rajeev, Minister, Industries Department, Government of Kerala said that Kudumbashree has been able to do great work in women's empowerment for a quarter of a century. The specialty of Saras Mela is that a variety of foods and products from all over India are available under one roof. More than 100 chefs, various art shows, food and various products are prepared for the customers. The Minister said that Saras Mela held in Ernakulam will be more festive.
A total of 250 stalls reflecting Indian cultures are set up at Saras Mela, which brings together the products of the country's rural entrepreneurs under one umbrella. Different stalls of handicrafts and handloom products are awaiting for the people at the fair, which starts from the 'Back to School' campaign model that has changed the face of Kudumbashree itself. Saras Mela showcases the variety of clothing from Indian states like Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Tripura, Telangana and Karnataka in Kochi of Kerala, the heart of fashion. Bamboo tools, sweets, jewellery, bags, handicrafts and other unique products of different states will be on display at the fair.
The display and marketing of different food products will enthrall the customers. The stalls of Kudumbashree's strong initiatives Gender Help Desk- Snehitha and Medical Help Desk- Santhwanam are the pride of the fair. The biggest feature of Saras Mela is that various cultures and unique products of the country come under one roof along with great market opportunities.
The National Saras Mela started at Kochi is becoming the Festival of Flavors serving the food diversity of India. It serves Dal Bathi Choorma from the royal family of Rajasthan to Momos from Thirunelly. 10 days and nights of Saras Mela at Kochi will be filled with flavors from various states. Different delicacies from various states of India and various districts of Kerala are awaiting the food lovers. Dal Bathi Choorma, a traditional Rajasthani dish that evokes curiosity as the name suggests, and Wayanad's own Thirunelly Momos alias 'TiMo', which is made with Jeerakashala rice have grabbed the attention of the fair on the very first day. The other attractions of the food fair is Maharashtra's Pooran Poly, Arunachal Pradesh's Beef Corn Soup, Attapady's own Vana Sundari, Alappuzha's Karimeen Pollichathu, Lakshadweep's Halwa, various types of Biryani and local delicacies.
More than 40 stalls are prepared to bring a variety of tastes to the customers. There are ten stalls from Uttarakhand, nine from Uttar Pradesh, eight from Karnataka, seven from Sikkim, six from Lakshadweep, five from Telangana, four from Arunachal Pradesh, three from Maharashtra and two from Andhra Pradesh. Unique flavors from Ernakulam, Wayanad, Thiruvananthapuram, Alappuzha, Kollam, Kottayam, Idukki, Pathanamthitta, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, Thalassery and Attappady are also available at the fair. Many people came to the food fair on the very first day to enjoy the live food tastings.
Adv. M . Anil Kumar, Mayor, Kochi Corporation inaugurated Saras Mela's Product Stall. The Indian Food Court was inaugurated by Shri. T.J Vinod, MLA and the Theme Stall was inaugurated by Shri. K. Babu, MLA. Shri. P.V Sreenijin, MLA inaugurated the Saras tag line prize giving. Shri. K. J Maxi, MLA inaugurated the Saras logo prize giving and the Art Night was inaugurated by Shri. K Chandran Pillai, Chairman, Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA). Shri. Loknath Behra, Managing Director, Kochi Metro Rail Limited, presented the Saras Theme Lyric Prize to the composer Shri. K.V Anil Kumar. Shri. N.S.K Umesh, District Collector, Ernakulam gave away the photography prizes.
Ms. Nikhila Vimal, Film star was the Chief Guest of the function. Shri. Ullas Thomas, President, District Panchayath, Ms. K. Meera, Sub Collector, Fort Kochi, Shri. Jafar Malik, Executive Director, Kudumbashree, Ms. Rama Santosh, Chairperson, Thrippun
The Saras Mela will come to an end on 1 January 2024.
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Kochi National Saras Mela starts bringing Indian diversity under one roof