Saras Aajeevika Mela can simply be described as an event to celebrate the success of women entrepreneurs who managed to make an identity for themselves, defeating all odds in life. They chose to shape their fate with action instead of sitting in the hope of a miracle.
There are many inspiring stories, including that of Suman Kuldeep Singh, who is among the latest entries on the Lakhpati Didis list. Singh, along with 10 other women, runs a bakery specialising in millet products.
“One day, a team from a self-help group visited our home and told us the benefits. We were facing challenges in life; hence, I decided to join,” said Singh, who hails from Panchkula in Haryana.
Financial and moral support—that’s all we require to boost our confidence to take a step, she said.
Singh runs the business in her son’s name, where 10 women co-workers prepare biscuits, snacks, and other bakery items.
Kolhapuri Chappal is the latest trend
Kolhapuri Chappal, which has recently gone global, is the latest trend at the Saras Aajeevika Mela. These handmade slippers are pulling a young crowd to the fair and are being bought in huge quantities. However, some visitors argue over the price. “People want cheap products; manufacturing involves lots of labour and time, but some people don’t understand,” said Ankita Choudhari, while ensuring the right size sequence of slippers at her stall.
She has come to exhibit at the fair from Kolhapur.
Cultural legacy is intact
While modernisation has influenced almost the entire country, a woman sitting on a chair in her small camp at the Chhattisgarh pavilion showcases the cultural legacy of the state. Clad in a brown saree, she was wearing traditional Adivasi-style ornaments.
“People have stopped using these items, but they remain in demand on various occasions. Here, people are buying them only out of curiosity. Our cowry garja (garland made of sea snails) and paisa mala (fake money garland) have become really famous here; apart from visitors, exhibitors and mela staff seem keen to purchase them,” said Kunti Kumari Murla.
Spreading smiles at ₹600/day
Two clowns and a Charlie Chaplin can be spotted frequently at the fair premises. Making funny gestures and flashing unnecessary smiles at people, surprising children, and trying to talk to people who are actually not interested in them—these are the works of the above three. But why do they do that?
“It’s a good opportunity to earn. I get ₹600 per day, so on the last day I will have over ₹10,000 in my hand in just 17 days, higher than my regular monthly income,” said 18-year-old Aman, who is a clown at the fair but works as a grocery store helper for his bread and butter.
