AAMNA KHATOON GETS A NEW IDENTITY IN THE BIHAR SARAS MELA

AAMNA KHATOON GETS A NEW IDENTITY IN THE BIHAR SARAS MELA

17-SEP-ENG 7

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

PATNA-------------------------A fair of handicrafts, age-old arts and local cuisine is being held in Gyan Bhawan, Patna. This is known as Saras Mela. The biggest speciality of this fair is that products and dishes of choice of people of every age, every class and every society are available for purchase and sale. By coming to Saras Mela, the young generation is getting acquainted with their age-old culture, folk art, crafts, and cuisine, while the elders are happy to get the crafts of their time. Toys are easily attracting children. Ayurvedic pickles, Ayurvedic plants, Ayurvedic laddus and digestive aids have become the first choice. Whereas Khadi, silk and cotton clothes and garments made from them are the special centre of attraction. These products are being sold in large numbers. Native, nutritious and delicious dishes are available at Jeevika Didi's kitchen. Along with this, famous sweets and delicious food items are available at many stalls. Native clothes are on display at the stall of Shilp Gram and pure honey is on display and sale at the stall of Madhugram.

Bihar Saras Mela is being organised by Jeevika under the aegis of Rural Development Department till 21st September 2025. This fair is held annually in September and December. It showcases and sells folk culture, folk art, handicrafts, and famous cuisine from various states across the country. Crafts and cuisine created by women who have benefited from various government-run schemes, including the Sustainable Livelihoods Scheme, are also on sale.

The Saras Mela, which began on September 12, 2025, saw the sale of products and cuisine worth over ₹50 lakh (approximately $5 million) in two days. On September 13, the second day of the event, products worth approximately ₹34.22 lakh (approximately $3.422 million) were purchased and sold. More than 28,000 people attended. On Sunday, September 14, a large number of people also came to shop and enjoy the local cuisine. The fair operates from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is free. Cashless shopping is available at all stalls.

Rural women entrepreneurs associated with self-help groups from 22 states, including Bihar, are exhibiting at the Saras Mela, showcasing their respective state's handicrafts. They have brought manufactured products and recipes. Products ranging from home and shop decorations to bedding, clothing, covers, carpets, bouquets, artificial flowers, coins, shells, bamboo, sand, and more are selling well. Katarni chuda, sattu, gram flour, and various types of flour, including madua, and various pickles, and much more are available. These are displayed at 130 stalls.

Rural women entrepreneurs participating in the Saras Mela have showcased their skills at the national level. Bangles, once limited to women's sixteen adornments, have been given the status of a micro-industry at the rural level by women from self-help groups. Amna Khatoon, who came to the Saras Mela from Shivhar district, Bihar, has been associated with the Ala Hazrat Jeevika Self-Help Group since 2018. Facing financial difficulties at her in-laws' home, Amna Khatoon took a loan from the group and began manufacturing and selling lacquer bangles. She sells them by hawking them morning and evening. She used to sell bangles but has now become a skilled entrepreneur. She has also provided employment to many people. She has recruited four men to sell bangles and four women to manufacture them. Now, she earns a monthly profit of 15,000 to 20,000 rupees. This is Amna Khatoon's third visit to the Saras Mela. Previously, she sold bangles worth 130,000 rupees at the Bihar Saras Mela held at Gyan Bhawan last year. She sold bangles worth over 1.5 lakh rupees at the Bihar Saras Mela held in December. Now, she is recognized in her district as a skilled female entrepreneur. Therefore, she is participating in the Saras Mela as a rural entrepreneur from her district, Sheohar. Amna Khatoon's story is a rags-to-riches journey, and the entrepreneurial stories of rural women from across the country who have come to the Saras Mela are truly inspiring. Visitors to her stall are amazed by her stories of struggle and success. Therefore, the Bihar Saras Mela celebrates struggle, success, and encourages centuries-old crafts and rural entrepreneurship. is reflected in.