Nurturing entrepreneurship is the motto of Skill development dept.

Bengaluru, Mar 2:
In an attempt to empower the women entrepreneurship and to build a close knit network, Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood Mission, National Livelihood Mission organized third Namma Saras mela 2024 inaugurated on February 29th will be on until March 9th. The event has unfolded at the National
college grounds.

Sharan Prakash Patil, Medical education, Skill development and Urban livelihood minister, inaugurated this prestigious event, empowering women and committing to women’s welfare as promised by the government.

This mega 10-day Namma Saras event displays an array of products by women entrepreneurs under National Livelihood Mission. This provides a perfect platform and a golden opportunity to sell their goods and become a successful entrepreneur.

Over 250 stalls have different products on display which have been given personal touch by women. Traditional and exclusive finished products from different states like West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra are on display.

For instance Maharashtra is known for sandals, Karnataka is famous for Ilkal sarees, Andhra has reputation for some eatables and of course West Bengal is renowned for its face masks with intricate works.

These stalls exhibit and sell materials like handmade products to homemade eatables to organic turmeric powder from Meghalaya. Some of the attractions are cold pressed oils from Kerala, Lonavala chikki, wooden carvings from Andra Pradesh, beautiful masks from West Bengal are some of the unique articles from nook and corner of the country. Since a wide variety of products are available right under one roof people get attracted to make business. Women from Self Help Group get benefitted by huge footfalls.

Value added products like Masala powders, millet snacks, wine and pickles, beads and wall hangings, paintings, wood works, crochet works, stuffed toys, sculptures, rewritable books, jewellery, cotton clothing, masks, mirror work, agarbatti, banana bags, papad, home made snacks, leather shoes and paintings from our very own Namma Karnataka.

You name it- the mela has it, from every home made snack to decorative item to clothes to footwear.

These women already have strong knit network and work in tandem. This bonding can be doubly and triply strengthened to put their business on the progressive path. The government too is supporting them by providing them revolving funds to start and promote their business.

Apart from providing a platform to sell, the department is also providing them soft skills, market skills, branding and logo designing knacks to stand out and stand unique in the market by organising workshops for women.

NSRCEL IIMB is bringing in necessary resource for panel discussions and path breaking inspiration stories to motivate women participants mindset to grow big.

Information about government schemes, capacity building programs, scope for branding and packaging, Animal husbandry and sustainable livelihood, supporting community, opportunities for enterprises and financing through banks, online marketing and opportunities through NRLM are some of the topics.

After a long day of business and workshops some entertainment activities have been chalked out intelligently. A diverse cultural activities are organized during every evenings until the mela is over.

On 29th February, Bharatnatyam by Archana and team was organized. Fashion show, miming program and folk dance by east zone SHG.

On Saturday it reached another level when Comedy Khiladigalu performed. The entire event just lightened up with the funny punch dialogues.

On March 3rd March celebrity musical show or organized with reputed singer Rajesh Krishnan and team from 6.30 pm to 9pm.

On 4th March the NLM team is performing a fashion show and miming program between 7pm and 8pm.

On March 5th South Zzone SHG and Kansale SHG are performing fashion show and miming. Indian institute of Fashion tech is performing a folk group performance from 7pm to 9pm.

On March 6th, RV degree college is performing fashion show and dance program from 7:30 to 9pm.

On March 7th Rajeev Gandhi college for Nursing and fortune institute of fashion tech is performing from 7pm- 8:30pm a fashion and mine along with group dance performances.

On March 8th evening An International Women’s day celebration is organized

On March 9th the last day Savithakka and troupe organizing a celebrity show from 7pm to 9pm.

Akka Café, Olavina Oota:

True to the name, Saras Mela also features special live food court showcasing a variety of delicacies from across 20 states.

An standard system has been put in place to prepare and sell famous dishes and delicacies including delicacies our Karnataka. Saras is working to promote Karnataka cuisine through Akka Cafe. Authentic and lip smacking local delicacies will not disappoint any visitor.

The way the whole itinerary is planned is so enriching that women today are not just stepping out to learn and grow in business but have a wholesome work knowledge and exposure to entertainment and find livelihood.