SHILLONG: Mini Aadi Mahotsav, a tribal fest exhibition to display the products of Tribes of India has been organised by the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Ltd (TRIFED) from July 16-25 at All Saint’s Hall here.
TRIFED is a central organisation under the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
Addressing the press, Regional Manager of TRIFED M.R Singh, said, “The purpose of organising the mini Aadi Mahotsav is to promote the products of tribals of North East in which artisans from these states bring their products among the people.”
As for the products produced in Meghalaya, he said the state is usually involved in producing organic products such as good quality turmeric powder and honey but not much is seen in handicrafts.
Handicrafts are mostly from Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, he said.
“The artisans are displaying their products only to promote. As for TRIFED, we are only collecting GST that will go to Government of India. Artisans are free to sell their items on their own ways and no rate has been fixed for them,” he said.
The other North Eastern states like Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura could not make it to the exhibition due to inclement weather.
When asked how the participants were selected, Singh said the participants were chosen from Tribal Artisan Mela in which their products were picked and then empanelled.
“From Northeast, 4 to 5 artisans who are producing very exotic items are going to participate. We take them to various states to display their products and sell them,” he said.
Singh pointed out the artisans of North East India are invited to participate in festivals/ exhibitions to South India and vice versa so that each will be aware of the products available and gradually come into competition. “Despite the curfew, during June 6-14 this year, there was a sale of Rs 2.7 lakh,” Singh said.
