14th SARAS (Sale of Articles for Rural Artisans Society) Trade Fair, 2025, concludes at Jorethang.

Namchi, January 23 (IPR): The 14th SARAS Trade Fair, organised by Sikkim Rural Livelihood Mission, under the aegis of Rural Development Department, Government of Sikkim, in association with Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, officially concluded and had a valedictory programme at Jorethang, today.
The SARAS Trade Fair is an event that brings SHGs (Self Help Groups) and rural artisans of different states across the country under a common roof and provide a platform where the participanting members are able to showcase and exhibit their skills and also sell their products directly to the customers.
Mr Madan Cintury, MLA Salghari-Zoom and Advisor for Skill Development and Transport Departments, was seated as the Chief Guest for the programme.
The Chief Guest was accompanied by Ms Anupa Tamling, DC Namchi, Ms Monika Rai, SDM Jorethang, Ms Radha Pradhan, CEO SRLM, Mr Dilip Dong, MEO Jorethang and Mrs Rajani Pega, DPO Soreng.
In his address, the MLA foremost presented his gratitude and thanked the Chief Minister, Mr Prem Singh Tamang for his visionary leadership to make the Maghey Sankranti Mela, 2025, a huge success, as through this celebratory event the SARAS Trade Fair, a part of the Maghey Sankranti Mela, was able to help the artisans and SHG members in their commerce.
The MLA congratulated the team of SRLM in making this very trade fair successful and fruitful. Likewise, he also commended the effort of each participants, through whose participation and sales effort, the fair produced higher numbers of sales turnover.
The MLA also informed that this year’s mela not only was a huge success but was also able to provide many tourist attractions, one of which being the Sandhya Aarati venue.
Talking to the SHG participants, the Chief Guest urged everyone to nurture and hone their skills, so that in the coming days they can be valuable assets and elevate the state’s reputation on a global scale. He also lauded their enthusiasm and vigor to not only be excellent in sales but also to be able to showcase their skills in the infotainment and entertainment sectors.
Lastly, the Chief Guest informed the gathering about implementation of newer ideas in the next mela so that newer prospects for economical advancements shall be accessible to each and everyone. He also urged the SHG members to promote traditional cuisines along with their artisanal skills, showcasing the rich and valuable ethnic diversity of the state.
Earlier, the CEO mentioned about the importance of organising the SARAS Trade Fair and its impact on economical aspects. She also talked on how the sales are boosted during the trade fair while attaching it with the event of Maghey Sankranti Mela, an annual event of the state of Sikkim.
Additionally, the CEO also mentioned that apart previous events, newer ideas were implemented in this year’s fair to boost the sales and also keep the members engaged and uplift their morale.
She also informed that for the very first time, a food court was included in the SARAS Trade fair, under the name of ‘Sikkim SHG Didi Bahini ko Bhansa Ghar’ that focused on cooking and serving Pan Asian foods along with local cuisines of different communities of Sikkim. The food court was an initiative under Startup Village Entreprenuer Programme.
She further went on to mention that various competetive activities like singing, dancing, fashion and talent hunt competitions were organised for the participants throughout the fair’s stay during the mela.
The CEO also mentioned that the fair was a huge success with cumilative sales return of Rs 66,99,232 by the 10th and last day of the trade fair. The CEO also informed that the day, 21/01/2025, recorded the highest sales return of Rs 9,42,761.
Lastly, CEO also stated that this year’s figure of the sales return proved that the fair was a success and the fair has been evolving in a positive manner and is the cumilative hard work of the team and previous trade fairs.
The highest grossing sales award for the SHG from the state of Sikkim was bagged by Anmol SHG from Namthang, having made the overall sale of Rs 3,88,100. The award for highest grossing sales, participating from other state was awarded to Manipur, having made the overall sale of Rs 2,98,820.
The winners of different events, namely Voice of SHG, Daphey Munal Nritya Pratiyogita, DIDIs Got Talent and Fashion Ramp Walk show, were also awarded with certificates and souvenirs. Likewise, the participants were also presented with certificates of appreciation.
The valedictory programme of SARAS Trade Fair also had an interactive session where the participants shared their experiences they had during the course of the fair and in return presented their opinions on how the trade fair can be improved in coming days.
Lasty, the programme concluded with the MLA and Advisor, Mr Madan Cintury, proclaiming the closing of the 14th SARAS Trade Fair, 2025.