Pallishree Mela-2012 expected to rake in Rs. 2 crore

Rourkela: The ten day Pallishree mela scheduled to be held from October 10 is expected to generate a business turnover of Rs. 2 crore. “Last year, the Pallishree Mela here had recorded a sale of Rs. 71.05 lakh and this year, we are expecting even more”, said ADM Rourkela Rabindranath Mishra. He added that if this year, revenues from mela exceed Rs. 2 crore, then Gramashree Mela will be organized in Rourkela.

This year, as many as 150 stalls will be set up at the National level Pallishree Mela, going to be held at Exhibition Ground, near Bhanja Bhawan, Rourkela, from Oct 10 to Oct 19. This was informed by the authorities at a press meet held here at the RDA conference hall.

The meeting was presided over by ADM Rourkela Rabindranath Mishra. In the meeting it was proposed to erect 150 temporary stalls along with control room. More than 400 participants, both male and female from different parts of the country are expected to participate in the exhibition, informed Mishra.

As per sources, 10 States, 30 districts (Odisha) and 165 SHGs, institutions and Line department will participate in the Pallishree Mela. One co-ordination cell will be set up at the Mela ground to inform about various day-to-day activities. Cultural programmes will also be organized every evening at the 10-day Mela.

According to sources, the Mela will showcase products like terracotta, tassar products, dhocra casting, decorative items, applique, cane and bamboo furniture, knitwear, jute products, dry flowers, kitchen wares, carpets, wood products, artificial jewellery, metal craft, paper machine, chanderi saree, phulkari dress materials, tribal painting and tribal jewellery, madhubani paintings, stylish jooti, Mirajapuri carpet, silk sari and dress materials, horn craft, food items (sattu, spices, pickles, papad, dal).

Apart from this Kandhamal haldi, Nayagarh moong dal and Boudh Arhar dal, which are popular among Odias will also be available at the mela.

Products from states like Rajasthan, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat and Andra Pradesh will also be showcased at the mela.

“Every effort has been made by the local administration to ensure smooth functioning of mela including plans to maintain law and order”, said Sub-Collector Panposh S B Mishra. On behalf of the district administration ADM, Rourkela will act as the coordinating officer. Sanjeev Kumar, Chief Executive of DSMS (District Supply and Marketing Society) of ORMAS, Sundargarh district informed about the arrangements for the upcoming Mela.

The concept of Pallishree Mela began in the year 1989 to revive the dying tradition of rural arts and crafts. This year, the mela is being organized by ORMAS in collaboration with the district administration of Sundargarh.