Women entrepreneurs from Bastar and other remote regions of Chhattisgarh who have set up their stalls displaying handicrafts and handlooms in the Chhattisgarh pavilion at 34th India International Trade Fair at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi are receiving huge response from foreign visitors , officials informed.
The fortnight-long fair, which will end on November 27, is based on the theme ‘Women Entrepreneur’. The fair was open for traders and businessmen for first five days.
During the business days, many tourists from foreign countries such as Pakistan and Afghanistan visited the pavilion, inquired about the ‘Dhokra art’ of Chhattisgarh and showed interest in buying the handicrafts on wholesale.
Shobha Baghel of Mahalaxmi Self-help Group (SHG) from Parchanpal village in Bastar is hopeful of earning profit of `1lakh from the sale of Dhokra art worth `3 lakh to `4 lakh.
It may be mentioned here that the Self-help Groups (SHGs) from various districts in Chhattisgarh are showcasing their handicrafts in 19 stalls inside the pavilion of Chhattisgarh State at the fair.
The pavilion at Hall No. 2 apart from showcasing natural and mineral resources of the State, also has a wide range of handloom and dress materials on display to lure women visitors, they stated.
At the entrance of the hall, weavers working on table looms give the visitors an idea of how handlooms are weaved.
The centre of the Chhattisgarh pavilion displays bamboo, jute and bell metal works prepared by women.
Officer of Chhattisgarh Tourism Information Centre in New Delhi, Manish Joshi said people interested in travelling to Chhattisgarh will get detailed information on tourist destinations.
The pavilion also has stalls each on ‘Godna’ Print, Teracotta (clay art), iron craft and bell metal put up by the groups from Bastar. A stall by Pragya art, Raipur has various showpieces and wall paintings made up of paper mash.