Grand Inauguration of District-Level Subhadra Shakti Mela in Jharsuguda Highlights Women-Led Self-Help Groups and Local Product Promotion

Jharsuguda,May 08:: The 7-day district-level Subhadra Shakti Mela has been inaugurated in Jharsuguda. Jharsuguda MLA Tankadhar Tripathy attended the event as the chief guest and formally inaugurated the fair.
The guests stated that this fair is a platform to empower women. It has been organised with the objective of making women financially self-reliant and promoting their economic independence. Despite the intense heat, they appreciated the initiative of organising such an event and providing Self Help Groups (SHGs) from various districts an opportunity to showcase and sell their products.
The inaugural ceremony was held under the chairmanship of Jharsuguda District Collector Kunal Motiram Chandra. Distinguished guests included the representative of the Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management Navil Agrawal, representative of Bargarh MP Shlok Sarna, Additional District Collector (Revenue) Raj Kishore Chand Swain, Additional District Collector (General) Brajabandhu Bhoi, and Project Director and CEO of Zilla Parishad Bishwaranjan Nayak.
Guests were welcomed with traditional dul-duli music. The Railway Cultural Association presented “Bande Utkal Janani”. Later, the Rise Up Dance Academy performed Odissi dance. The State Culture Department’s Sambalpur-based Laharang Kisan dance troupe also performed, along with other colourful cultural programmes by artists led by Umakanta Barik.
The dignitaries visited various exhibition stalls at the fair. Every evening, cultural programmes featuring local and outside artists will be held. Tomorrow’s schedule includes performances by Beheramal Ramal Ashram School, Vedanta Township, Just Quick Step, Durga Group, and a traditional Sambalpuri melody programme.
To ensure the smooth conduct of the 7-day event, the District Collector has formed several teams with officers and staff, assigning responsibilities accordingly. Special arrangements have been made to ensure that women participants face no inconvenience during the fair.