SARAS Exhibition Records Rs 10 Crore Sales
Rural artisans, SHG women showcase crafts at DWCRA Bazaar
Visakhapatnam: The SARAS (Sale of Articles of Rural Artisans Society) exhibition, part of the All India DWCRA Bazaar, has become a major attraction at the Andhra University Engineering College grounds.
Self-help group members from across the country are showcasing their products, drawing large crowds and generating significant sales.
Since its inauguration on December 15, the exhibition has recorded sales of Rs 9.73 crore. On December 20 alone, sales totalled Rs 1.93 crore; and on December 21, transactions reached Rs 2.22 crore.
Organisers said nearly 85 per cent of payments were being made digitally. The exhibition runs until Dec 26 and is open daily from 10 am to 9:30 pm.
Weekends have seen particularly high footfall, with families and shoppers flocking to the stalls to purchase handcrafted items and regional specialties.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, shopper N. Vishalakshi said, “The shopping experience at SARAS is wonderful. There’s a warmth that you don’t find in big malls. Seeing the handcrafted items and the way the women explained their creations left me with a great shopping experience.”
The event is organised annually by the Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty under the guidance of the district collector. Banks, government bodies and private organisations support it.
This year, 574 women from self-help groups in Andhra Pradesh and other states are participating, with 268 stalls offering a wide variety of products.
The stalls feature handlooms, handicrafts, sarees, shawls, carpets, bamboo, metal and glass products, organic food items, jewellery, home décor, spices, and region-specific innovations.
Highlights include leather bags from Haryana and Telangana, cotton clothing from Maharashtra, Kashmiri shawls and dress materials, lace items from Odisha, wooden toys from Chhattisgarh, paper flowers from West Bengal, silk sarees from Assam, embroidered clothing from Uttar Pradesh, and golden grass products from Odisha.
Contributions from NABARD, MEPMA, Rythu Sadhikara Samstha, TRIFED, and other sponsors add to the diversity of offerings.
The Kashmiri Kavan (Kashmiri Chai) stall has become a favourite among visitors, offering delicious treats like Kashmiri Kavan. “I come here almost every day to enjoy Kashmiri Kavan, which is priced at Rs 30. I love the shopping, culture, food and the chance to meet people from other states,” said Y. Jyotsana, a regular patron.
