Tribal products attract huge crowd in capital city fair

BHUBANESWAR: After a lull of two years, visitors were back at the Exhibition Ground in Unit-III to choose different indigenous products at the ongoing national tribal festival.
The festival, Parichaya, has provided a platform to tribal micro-entrepreneurs to sell their products. It has been organised by the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) and SAA Parichaya Foundation Trust, a voluntary organization.
Indigenous entrepreneurs from across India displayed wide range of products starting from crafts, handicrafts, textiles, spices and cuisines. “Sales have been good as many people are aware of the products and their specialty,” said Minaketan Sira, a weaver from Kotpad in Koraput district. Earlier, 80 households in Kotpad used to weave the traditional handloom clothes, saris, dupatta, stoles and “gamuchhas”. “However, now only 12 families are continuing the tradition despite training and support. Many youths are involved in other trades to earn a living and are not ready to continue the tradition,” Sira said. As the pandemic has broken the financial backbone of the artisans, who are struggling to keep our heritage intact, this type of festivals is viable solution for boosting the local economy, supporting local pride and their creativity.
“The tribal fair also helps boost home-based economy for the ethnic groups with the opportunity to work in their local area by staying close to family and traditions with dignity and respect,” said Subhasis Das, managing trustee, Saa Parichaya Foundation Trust.
Customers are also happy to get indigenous products. “We don’t get these products everyday. There is a huge range of products from tribal jewellery to handloom fabrics to household products like baskets and kitchen utensils and furniture and terracotta products,” said Sushree Dash, a homemaker.