MARGAO
The 12-day SARAS 2018 got underway at the SGPDA ground on Thursday with TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai calling upon the RDA to work towards a product depicting brand Goa and to take steps to set up a permanent venue for exhibition and marketing of products manufactured by local artisans.
While mooting inter-linking of departments, including the RDA, Fisheries, WRD, Agriculture to ensure that the benefits percolate down to the local artisans, he urged the RDA Minister Jayesh Salgaonkar to take steps to end the red tape so that the benefits of schemes percolate down the self help groups at the grass roots.
Speaking as the Chief Guest after inaugurating the SARAS 2018 on Thursday evening, Sardesai said that when 65 lakh people visit Goa every year, there's indeed a need to focus on a brand Goa product which would benefit the local artisans.
RDA Minister Jayesh Salgaonkar said that SARAS festival at Panaji was a huge success with the turn over pegged at Rs 1.25 crore, while exuding confidence that Margao, being the commercial capital, would better the record.
In his address, Margao MLA Digambar Kamat said the time has come to provide a marketing platform for SHGs and local artisans.
MLAs Clafacio Dias and Wilfred D'Sa along with DRDA V N Shetye, Margao Municipal Chairperson Babita Prabudesai, South Goa Zilla Chairperson Navnath Naik were amongst others present.
