At the 44th India International Trade Fair 2025, held at the Bharat Mandapam complex in New Delhi, Odisha’s pavilion has emerged as a vibrant showcase of self-reliant India, highlighting the state’s rural products through the efforts of the Mission Shakti department and the Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society (ORMAS) under the Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department.
The Odisha pavilion features 6 stalls from ORMAS and 4 from Mission Shakti, where rural women’s self-help groups (SHGs) are selling handmade crafts and demonstrating their creation live on dedicated platforms. These exhibits not only promote traditional artistry but also embody the vision of “One India, Best India” through self-reliance.
ORMAS stalls display a diverse range of products: from Rayagada’s Prerana SHG offering everyday items and home decor made from gourd (tumba); Dhenkanal’s Jai Jagannath SHG with intricate Dhokra metal crafts; Balasore’s Nilgiri Lac Producers’ Association presenting women’s jewellery; Nayagarh’s Krishna Chhena Poda with traditional Odia sweets like pithas and chhena poda; Jajpur district’s Gopalpur Tussar Handloom Production Enterprise showcasing tussar silk garments for men and women; and Puri’s Utkal Coir with eco-friendly home decor and toys crafted from coconut fibre.
Similarly, Mission Shakti’s stalls feature Puri Raghurajpur’s Maa Bhuasuni SHG with Pattachitra paintings; Kendrapara’s Shiva Parvati Golden Grass with items made from kainch and sabai grass; Nabarangpur’s Dhanalaxmi SHG presenting rice-based artworks; and Keonjhar Anandapur’s Shri Jagannath SHG with paper mache crafts.
Over the nine days from November 14 to 22, ORMAS stalls recorded sales exceeding Rs 7 lakhs, while Mission Shakti stalls achieved around Rs 6 lakhs, totalling over Rs 13 lakhs in business. The tumba handicrafts have particularly captivated visitors, turning the stalls into a focal point for states and countries alike.
Rayagada’s Prerana SHG has already engaged in successful business discussions with Delhi-based Rudrashil Product for tumba crafts. Additionally, high-level administrative officials from various states and ministries, along with business institutions, have discussed production and marketing strategies with stall representatives, fostering potential collaborations.
This participation underscores Odisha’s commitment to empowering rural women artisans and promoting sustainable, traditional products on a global stage.
