Bhubaneswar: Visitors are thronging the Exhibition Ground in large numbers to look for different types of rural products during the ongoing 'Sisir Saras' fair organised by Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society (ORMAS). Handloom and handicraft items made by craftsmen from rural Odisha and other states of the country are the major attraction in this fair.
"I am feeling really excited. In this exhibition we get to see many new items which is generally not available in the market. I have also purchased a few items," said Priya.
“I am happy to see many handmade products here. This art and skill is slowly disappearing,” said another visitor Anil.
The organisers have set up a special stall for demonstration of the 'Kotpad Handloom'. This organic and indigenous fabric exclusive to Kotpad area of Koraput was given the Geographical Indication (GI) Tag. Gopabandhu from Kotpad is busy these days in demonstrating this item to the visitors coming to this fair.
"I am getting good benefits out of weaving and this is my source of income. Government is helping us. I am here for the first time but have been working from 1978. It is encouraging to see people coming here are asking about the technique and about the product," said Gopabandhu, a weaver from Kotpad.
Apart from these rural products, the food court is also attracting many food lovers of the city. Mouthwatering cuisines from different parts of the country are making a major change in the taste buds during this fair.
Traders and artisans from around 25 states are participating in Sisir Saras which was inaugurated on January 5 and will conclude coming Monday.
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