SWADESHI MELA, CHANDIGARH 2017

 Center for economic policy research and Swadeshi Jagran Manch organized the third edition of  Swadeshi  Mela,  in Chandigarh. The 5 day event starting from November 22, was held to encourage the Indigenous market and local entrepreneurs . Chief Guest Sh Manohar Lal Khattar , Chief Minister of Haryana and Special Guest Sh Brahm Mahindra, Health Minister Government of  Punjab,  inaugurated the event and encouraged people to prefer Swadeshi made  products  to boost  and strengthen country’s economy.  “We believe  that  Swadeshi  Mela  is a  neutral  platform  which  focuses  on  developmental policies  rather   than   political   policies.” quoted  Sh  Brahm Mahindra.  They  were  welcomed by Sh Satish Kumar, Regional Organizer ,  North  Swadeshi  Jaagran Manch,  he  introduced  Swadeshi Mela as an encouragement for small scale entrepreneurs in  the  context of  globalization  and  increased competition .

Over 200 stalls ranging from established brands,self help groups,tribal organisations ,organic farmers and ayurvedic product manufactures were among the participants. The MSME and cottage indu-stry were encouraged through sale of local handloom products like Pashmina from Kashmir, Bhagalpuri silk,Rajasthani designs and handloom from Punjab.The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited or TRIFED,an organization working towards tribal development recorded maximum sale during this event.

The role of youth and technology in Swachh Bharat Mission,Skill Development Mission – challenges and opportunities ,challenges related to rice exporters were discussed and confronted in interactive Seminars. Renowned singers ,Padma Shri Hans Raj Hans and Sugandha Sharma to name a few,decorated the event on cultural nights.

Department  of  Handloom  from  Ministry of Textile, Uttar  Pradesh tourism, Haryana tourism, Indian Oil, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation or ONGC, Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited or IFFCO , Bureau of Pharma Public Sector Undertakings of India or BPPI,PTC India,Artifici -al Limbs  Manufacturing  Corporation  or  ALIMCO, National Handicapped Finance Development Corporation or NHFDC, National Scheduled Castes Finance  and  Development  Corporation or  NSCFDC, Sonalika  International, Su-kam Solar, Hero Group, TRIFED were major sponsors and participants to this event.