Minister of State, Rural Development Pu Lalruatkima inaugurated the ‘Regional Sales of Rural Artisans Society (SARAS) Fair 2019’ at the Vanlallawma Indoor Stadium (VANIS), Kahrawt, Champhai yesterday. The Minister was accompanied by Pu Lalhmingthanga, IAS,  State Mission Director, MzSRLM and Commissioner & Secretary RD Department, various government officials, Self Help Group members, mediapersons and social leaders.

Speaking at the inaugural function held in the Kahrawt Community Hall, the Chief Guest Pu Lalruatkima said that at the initiative of the Ministry of Rural Development, SARAS Fairs have gradually become very strong platforms to showcase and promote the domestic rural products throughout the country, and these fairs are now beginning to attract foreign buyers and businessmen too. This was the dream that Mahatma Gandhi had for India, that a time would come when locally grown and made produce/products would become popular and much in demand. So, it was also very fortunate that this year’s SARAS Fair could be held at Champhai, which being a border town was strategic for the development of border trade, the Minister said. The state government would willingly extend any kind of support needed by the Self Help Groups working under this scheme, and especially those who had availed loans amounting to Rs.2 crores during the State Level Credit Camp held this year in March should work dilligently in order to gain success and be able to pay back all dues in time, he added.

State Mission Director, MzSRLM & Secretary and Commissioner RD Dept Pu Lalhmingthanga and Project Director, DRDA Champhai Pi Ethel Rothangpuii also spoke on the occasion, reiterating the dedicated work being done under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission in the state. National Rural Livelihoods Mission was started in 2011 and the Mizoram State Rural Livelihoods Mission (MzSRLM), which began in 2013, was now flourishing in Kolasib, Serchhip, Mamit, Lawngtlai, Champhai leh Saiha Districts. The Sales of Rural Artisans Society (SARAS) FAIR, an intiative of the Ministry of Rural Development, Govt. of India has a branch office in all the state. In Mizoram, SARAS Fairs started to be organised from the year 2015 and will be organised in the state twice in the current financial year 2019-2020. In the Regional SARAS Fair being held in Champhai, 100 Self Help Groups from 14 RD Blocks of 5 Districts have participated. The SARAS Fair will be held from October Ni 29 till 8th November, 2019.

After inaugurating the SARAS Fair yesterday, Minister of State Pu Lalruatkima, who also holds the portfolio of Information & Public Relations, visited the MJA Press Club at Bethel Veng Champhai, where the President, MJA Champhai Pu C.Lalhnunpuia and other members received him.

Speaking to the members of the Mizoram Journalists Association, Champhai, the I&PR Minister assured the mediapersons that the state government was eager to conduct Media Workshops, Seminars and Press tours as well as to start Journalist Pension Scheme, Health Care Scheme and Welfare Scheme, which would benefit the media fraternity in the state.