Adivasi Mela starts in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: The much-awaited Adivasi Mela commenced at the Adivasi Ground today.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the exhibition which is being organised to propagate the art, culture, and tradition of tribal communities and to market their authentic products.

The primary attraction of Adivasi Mela this year are 121 stalls in total will sell and display authentic products. Ten PVTG houses have been constructed. These will make the visitors enjoy tribal atmosphere of remote parts of the state. These houses have thatched and tile roofs while the wall has been painted with jhoti.

In the Adivasi Haat various tribal and forest products are available for sale. Women SHG of ITDA and Micro Projects are selling the products made by them and forest produces.

Tribal women in 62 ITDA stalls are selling the product collected and produced by them. 17 stalls of micro projects have been allotted to SHG women.

Apart from that TDCC, OFSDS, Mission Shakti, ORMAS, Millet Mission, Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts Department, Planning and Convergence Department are selling and displaying their products in 23 stalls.

There will be cultural programme and tribal dance during the exhibition every evening.

Products like turmeric, millet, mong, blackgram, corn, Basmati rice, honey, broom stick, palua are popular among buyers. Every year the mela attracts over 8 to 10 lakh visitors with a business turnover of 5 to 6 Crores.

This year Adivasi Mela will continue for a period of ten days till 1st March.