HAMPER:
SARAS Fair has provided an umbrella of shelter to the handicraft and other allied sectors operated by SHGs from across the country
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SARAS 1: Mentor of Women of Fatorda, Usha Sardessai at her stall showcasing traditional masalas of Goa. SARAS 5: Customers at Ratnashekhar's stall of decorative items like earthernware, etc.
Pics Santosh Mirajker
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HEADLINE:
Unity in Diversity at SARAS 2016-17
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INTRO:
For providing a boost to Self Help Groups (SHGs) from Goa and other parts of the country, SARAS has been an annual feature in the State. At the SGPDA grounds in Margao, products on display at plenty of stalls represent the mosaic of the country
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A microcosm of the country's handicraft sector and its cottage industry is on view at SARAS- 2016-17, which is now an annual feature in Goa. Providing an umbrella of shelter to the handicraft and other allied sectors operated by self help groups (SHGs) from across the country, SARAS 2016-17 is now showcased at SGPDA grounds, Margao.
“A total of 210 stalls, of which a majority are Goan, while SHGs from a total of 19 states are participating in SARAS. For instance, a total of 16 SHGs each from West Bengal and Jharkhand in addition to 18 SHGs from Maharashtra are participating,” informs Director RDA (South) Laura Britto e Madredeus.
Ranging from eatables, traditional Goan items, handicrafts from other parts of the country and many such items, it is felt that SARAS has provided a platform not only for direct sales of rural markets, but has also provided exposure to rural artisans/entrepreneurs to various aspects of marketing and linkages with various other markets.
At one such Goan stall, traditional Goan masalas have been showcased to enable Goans cater to their taste buds. “This is the sixth year since we have installed our stall at SARAS. Products from Fatorda such as Gavli masala, masalas produced by the ST community, nine different varieties in all, have been packaged in gravy form for use by people. I tied up with the women of Fatorda for this venture. These are traditional masalas, grandma's recipes. I tried to get these into the market,” informs the 'Mentor' of 'Women of Fatorda,' Usha Sardessai. Since the launch of these masalas in March 2016, plans are now afoot to launch these masalas in powdered form, adds Sardessai.
Ever since the Fair was inaugurated by Agriculture Minister Ramesh Tawadker, RDA Minister Alina Saldanha and Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardessai among others on November 3, footfalls have increased. However, there are mixed reactions as regards the response to the items on display. While some stall owners express their satisfaction over the sale, some others are not very optimistic.
Coming all the way from Andhra Pradesh is Bhaskar, with his stall displaying leather puppets. For Bhaskar's family, this has been their traditional profession. The products displayed are the fruit of labour of a total of five people, he informs. “I have been installing my stall at SARAS over the last ten years. The stall also has a stock of bed lamps, caricatures which can be used for puppet shows. As of now, the stall has stocked items worth Rs 5 lakh,” Bhaskar adds. “The business has been slow this year and sale is not satisfactory,” he signs off, on a pessimistic note.
More than anything else, the range of products on display at SARAS is amazing. From items carved out of tree bark to decorative earthernware, products of day-to-day use and traditional Goan sweetmeats, spices and exotic spices from some parts of the country, the Fair could also be a lady's delight.
For some others, traditional items could be used as decorative items in households or used for daily chores. For instance, Shefali Ray's stall has 30 different items produced from the bark of a tree. “All items are hand made and we have items such as handbags, mobile bag/cover, hats, laptop bags, table mats, slippers, etc. A total of 30 to 40 labourers are employed to produce these items. While a mat takes five days, one-and-half dozen bags can be produced by the artisans in one day,” informs Ray, who hails from Cooch Behar (North Bengal).
Likewise, Ratnashekhar has travelled all the way from Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh). His stall has a total of 60 varieties of decorative items which can be used for gardens, for indoors such as dinner set, etc. “Around 600 to 700 people manufacture these items. I have been attending SARAS for the last seven years. By and large, the business is good. Prior to this, I have also attended such fairs in Panaji while we also exhibit our products in metros like Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi (at Surajkund Mela),” he adds.
This has come as a morale booster for the organisers - the RDA. “Until November 10, sale worth Rs 56.32 lakh has been reported. We aim at crossing Rs 1 crore in sales this year,” informs the RDA (South) Director.
SARAS has been promoted by the central government too. According to RDA Minister Alina Saldanha, the central government sanctions a grant of Rs 35 lakh towards organising SARAS in the State while the State government chips in with the balance amount.
On the commercial side, Saldanha claims SARAS to be a success. She pegged the income earned through the sale of various items at SARAS 2015-16 at Rs 80.7 lakh. “More than 1000 people have gathered for SARAS 2016-17. This will lead to an increase in income generated through this venture,” Saldanha claimed during the inaugural function of SARAS 2016-17.
