Subhadra Shakti Mela to be Organised by Balasore District Administration: A Major Market Platform for Rural Producers and Self-Help Groups
Balasore, Feb 20 (Krushna Kumar Mohanty): The Subhadra Shakti Mela–2026 will be organised jointly by the Mission Shakti Department and the Balasore District Administration, which was announced at a press conference held today. The fair is aimed at creating a major marketing platform for rural producers, artisans, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and Producer Groups (PGs) to showcase and sell their products. It will also enable rural entrepreneurs to understand urban consumer preferences and accordingly improve the quality, design, and packaging of their products.
As per the State Government’s directive, the mela will be held from February 22 to February 28, 2026. The main objective is to provide market linkages to rural producers and artisans supported under various poverty alleviation programmes of the Government of India, while promoting the “Vocal for Local” initiative.
Around 200 stalls from all districts of Odisha will participate in the mela. The event will feature live demonstrations of handicrafts and handloom weaving, IEC stalls by different government departments, and a food court comprising 30 stalls. Other attractions include selfie points, a fashion show based on traditional handloom and handicrafts, workshops and training sessions, and cultural evenings with performances by Ollywood artistes.
Visitors will be able to purchase a wide range of products such as terracotta items, tribal jewellery, dokra casting products, cotton handloom fabrics, Kendujhari phula badi, dry fish, spices, and various forest-based products of Odisha.
At the district level, awards will be presented in six budgeted and two non-budgeted categories, with three prizes in each category. The budgeted categories include Best Agricultural and Non-Agricultural Product, Best Packaging and Display, Best Customer Service, Innovation in SHG Products, and Best Stall. The non-budgeted categories will recognise the Best Bank and Block in SHG Credit Linkage, and the Best Block for promoting Lakhpati Didi, Swadeshi Sankalp Campaign, and Individual Entrepreneurship Development.
Among those present at the press conference were Sudhakar Nayak, Additional District Magistrate; Priyadarshi Rajesh, Information and Public Relations Officer; Jyotsnarani Mohanty, District Social Welfare Officer; Shantanu Banerjee, Deputy CEO, ORMAS; and Kartik Chandra Nayak, District Project Coordinator, Mission Shakti.
The District Administration expressed confidence that Subhadra Shakti Mela–2026 will strengthen the rural economy, enhance women’s empowerment, and promote indigenous products across the region.
