SARAS promotes SHGs

SHILLONG: SARAS-Sale of Articles by Rural Artisans was inaugurated on Wednesday by Community and Rural Development Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar at Malki ground.
Speaking to The Shillong Times, Shanlang F. Lyngdoh, Mission Manager of Meghalaya State Rural Livelihoods Society (MSRLS) said that the aim of the maiden four-day fair was to promote self help groups in their livelihood ventures. “These are mostly female self help groups and products belonging to other entrepreneurs are also on display. The fair houses both beginners and experts in the field of self help employment,” he said.
He added that the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) has directed the states to promote such exhibitions so as to bring about an exchange of ideas, knowledge, marketing capacity etc. between the beginners and people who are already established in the field of self employment. “Next year, we will start the fair rotation wise in each district headquarter of the state,” he added.
As a means to encourage the people to exhibit their skills, the MSRLS has suggested to the Minister to establish a showroom where only SHGs’ products will be displayed which will be of help to the tourists in understanding the diverse culture of the state. Other states participating in the fair are Assam, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and J&K.