Bhubaneswar: Janata Maidan turned into a vibrant hub of colours, craftsmanship and culture on Friday with the opening of the 20th Grand Toshali Swadeshi Mela, one of Odisha’s largest platforms for handloom and handicraft traditions. The much-awaited annual fair brings together artisans and weavers from across the country, offering visitors a rich showcase of indigenous products, traditional skills and creative excellence.
Inaugurating the mela, Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo said Odisha’s handloom and handicraft products symbolise the State’s glorious heritage and cultural identity. He underlined that the fair has been designed to create stronger market opportunities for artisans and weavers, enabling them to enhance their incomes while preserving age-old traditions. He added that promoting Swadeshi products is integral to strengthening local economies and encouraging self-reliance.
Minister for Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts Pradeep Bal Samanta lauded the dedication and talent of Odisha’s artisan community, describing weavers as the flag-bearers of the State’s textile legacy and handicraft artisans as global ambassadors of its artistic brilliance. He said the government is consistently working to improve their livelihoods through policy interventions, institutional support and wider market access.
As part of the inaugural programme, 12 accomplished artisans were honoured for their exemplary contributions to preserving and promoting traditional crafts. In a move to foster innovation and strengthen the sector through technology and research, two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between the Directorate of Handicrafts and CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (IMMT), Bhubaneswar, and the Indian Institute of Packaging, Mumbai. Additionally, two MoUs were exchanged between the Directorate of Handlooms and Textiles and the ICAR–National Institute of Natural Fibre Engineering and Technology, along with Odisha University of Technology and Research, Bhubaneswar.
Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts Department, Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar, welcomed the guests and outlined the vision behind the fair, while Director of Handicrafts Dr. Nibedita Prusti proposed the vote of thanks.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by Ekamra MLA Babu Singh, Swabalambi Abhiyan regional coordinator Sarada Satpathy, Padma Shri awardee and renowned Bandha artist Sharat Kumar Patra, Additional Secretary Pratap Chandra Hota, and Director of Handlooms and Textiles Surya Narayan Pattanayak, among other senior officials and stakeholders.
The fair will continue till February 26, featuring 905 stalls with participation from weavers and artisans representing 20 states. Visitors can explore a wide array of handwoven textiles, handicrafts, indigenous products and regional cuisines, making the Toshali Swadeshi Mela a major cultural and commercial attraction in the city.