Annual Poush Mela in Santiniketan - traders want extension

Traders who will put up stalls at the annual Poush Mela in Santiniketan have requested that the fair be extended by a week. That way they can recover some of their investments at a time when there is a cash crunch because of demonetization.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT)has ruled that the fair cannot be extended beyond the stipulated three days. The Poush Mela starts on December 7 and should end within three days but, it usually continues unofficially till end-December.
This has been reported in telegraphindia.com dated 4 December 2016.

The fair is organist jointly by Visva-Bharati and the Santiniketan Trust. History has it that Rabindranath Tagore's father, Maharshi Debendranath Tagore, had bequeathed his properties to the Santiniketan Trust. As per documents, the Poush Mela is supposed to be held for three days.
Incidentally the fair was started in 1894 by Maharshi Debendranath Tagore with the idea of promoting local handicrafts. Tourists from all over the country and also from across the world visit Poush Mela to pick up the handicrafts created by local artisans.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org


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West Bengal handloom products to be showcased at a month-long exhibition at Rome

Taking advantage of the presence of West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee in Italy on a four-day visit to Italy for attending the canonization of Mother Teresa, an exhibition of handloom products of the state will be showcased at a month-long exhibition at Rome.
This has been reported in thestatesman.com dated 4 September 2016.

The exhibition is being organized by an NGO on behalf of the West Bengal Khadi & Village Industries Board (WBKVIB). It will kick off with a three-day event in an open space after which it will be shifted to a gallery in Rome.
Various types of handloom sarees will find space at the exhibition apart from artifacts of Dokra, Sitalpati, Madurkathi, Terracotta, Patachitra, wooden and Chau masks. Italy is a fashion destination and the organisers are hopeful that handloom products from Bengal, which are already in great demand in Western countries. will now win over the heart of Italians.
The effort to exhibit products from the state at a foreign country is aimed at providing a platform for promotion. The handloom products of Bengal have a rich tradition and, as an economic trade and industrial activity, it occupies a place second only to agriculture in providing livelihood to the people.


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Odisha showcases its khadi products and handicrafts on the occasion of Rath Yatra

Odisha is taking advantage of the Rath Yatra festival to promote khadi products. Therefore, the Odisha Khadi and Village Industries Board is hosting a fair in Puri where it is endorsing merchandise made by rural artisans of the state. The venue is the beach at Mochi Sahi Square and the fair is labeled as "Khadi Haat". It aims to promote the traditional crafts and fabrics of the state among tourists who have gathered in the holy city for the annual festival.
This has been reported in telegraphindia.com dated 8 July 2016.

The exhibition has around 50 kiosks that showcase khadi apparel, fabrics and saris apart from cottage-industry products which include a wide repertoire of stylish garments made from traditional fabrics of the state such as ikkat and kotpad. Weavers and craftsmen from Mayurbhanj, Kalahandi, and Koraput have taken part in the fair to promote their art forms.
The fair has provided people an opportunity to buy khadi items and village products that are not available easily available outside Odisha. Moreover, various tribal jewellery as well as home décor items, including dokra craft and items made of lacquer and bamboo, are attracting tourists. There are also handicraft items made from horns, straws, brass and wood - these are also a hit with buyers.


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