The 12-day extravaganza of women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship, the Subhadra Shakti Mela, drew to a close at the IDCO Exhibition Ground here, leaving an indelible mark on Odisha’s socio-economic landscape.
Organised as a vibrant festival, the event provided a grand stage for over 300 stalls manned by self-help groups (SHGs) from all 30 districts of the state. These groups showcased and sold a diverse array of products, from handicrafts, handlooms, and bamboo items to traditional foods, spices, and eco-friendly goods, while bolstering women-led businesses across the region.
The fair transformed into a lively marketplace that celebrated the ingenuity and enterprise of women entrepreneurs. A standout feature was the mother-run food court, which became the heart of the event, drawing massive crowds eager for homemade desi products and authentic Odia cuisine. The mela played a pivotal role in reviving traditional millet-based dishes, integrating them seamlessly into modern daily diets and highlighting Odisha’s rich culinary heritage. Visitors relished innovative fusions of millets with classic local flavours.
To enhance the family-friendly vibe, dedicated play areas and equipment for children were set up, ensuring the event appealed to all ages. Each evening came alive with captivating cultural performances, adding a rhythmic pulse to the festivities. This year’s highlight was a mesmerising fashion show featuring models adorned in Odisha’s exquisite handloom weaves and traditional jewellery, blending heritage with contemporary flair.
The core mission of the Subhadra Shakti Mela was to offer SHGs prime sales opportunities for their products while inspiring fellow groups to scale up. Notably, 69 SHGs participated in a state-level fair for the first time this year. In a remarkable achievement, 328 women sellers crossed the lakhpati threshold by vending in bulk volumes, with 10 of them elevating to mahalakhpati status—symbolising extraordinary financial empowerment.
The closing ceremony was graced by Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida as the chief guest, who showered praise on the women’s entrepreneurial prowess. “This is an outstanding platform to propel initiatives from local roots to global horizons,” she remarked, highlighting the event’s record-breaking turnover of over ₹12 crore—double that of the previous year.
Law, Works, and Urban Development Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, along with Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister Gokulananda Mallik, echoed her sentiments, reaffirming the state government’s unwavering commitment to women’s economic upliftment.
Mission Shakti Director Dr Monika Priyadarshini delivered a warm welcome address, while Joint Secretary Mamata Barik extended heartfelt thanks to all stakeholders.
The evening’s spotlight also fell on honouring top-performing SHGs and producer groups for their stellar displays, further amplifying women-led innovation. In a special gesture, 69 debutant groups received certificates and ₹10,000 each in prize money. Across 10 categories—including Best First-Time Stall, Best Food Stall, Best Handloom Stall, Best Handicraft Stall, Best Minor Forest Produce Stall, Best Agricultural Produce Stall, Best Display Stall, Best Packaging Stall, Best Customer Favourite Stall, and Best Innovative Product Stall—30 groups were recognised. Winners claimed cash prizes of ₹30,000 for first place, ₹25,000 for second, and ₹20,000 for third, accompanied by certificates and trophies.
A special accolade went to Maa Mangala Chitrakar from Puri, whose stall was crowned the overall best and awarded ₹50,000 by Deputy CM Parida. Over the 12 days, more than 5 lakh visitors flocked to the venue, fueling a staggering total sales figure exceeding ₹12 crore for the women vendors.
The Subhadra Shakti Mela stood as an unparalleled showcase of women’s skills, creativity, and triumphs, forging a bold new identity for Odisha’s female workforce. Buoyed by this success, the state government pledges to expand market linkages and self-branding avenues for even more women entrepreneurs in the days ahead.
