Dimensions and Challenges of the 10th Regional Saras Fair, Agartala: A Geographical Analysis

Abstract

In post independence time one of the major emphases given by the Government of India was to eradicate the poverty of rural poor through different poverty alleviation programmes like Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY). In SGSY scheme the rural people belonging to same economic background having a common desire to work together were organised in small informal groups to start employment generating activities are known as Self Help Groups (SHG). Ministry of Rural Development, Govt. of India organises annual sale cum exhibition fair in different regions to provide a platform to sale and promote the products produced by the SHG members. Regional Saras Fair, Agartala is an annual phenomenon since 2006 which is playing an important role for the folk artisans of Tripura to sale the products of rural cottage industries in the urban market. The present study tries to highlight the nature and dimension of Saras fair and socio-economic development of the SHG members. Also explain future strategies for development of the Saras fair as well as the participating SHGs.The methodologies that have taken to carry out this study is extensive literature review to gather knowledge about different aspects and dimensions of poverty alleviation programmes, collection of primary data by using structured schedule through stratified random sampling techniques, 86 number of participating SHGs interviewed. Secondary data has been collected from the District Rural Development Office and Govt. websites. Saras Fair have opened a new dimension in promotion of rural products and encouraged the participants and other stakeholders in the development of rural products which has to achieve poverty free nation. Thus, formation of stable market for the SHG products may solve the rural poverty problem.

Keywords: Self Help Group, SGSY, Saras Fair, Rural Development