Charilam Panchayat Samiti Chairperson Khela Bhowmik felicitates Vivekananda Self-Help Group for winning Best Stall Award at the 20th Regional Saras Mela, highlighting women empowerment, rural livelihoods, and SHG success in Tripura.
The Chairperson of the Charilam Panchayat Samiti, Khela Bhowmik, on Sunday felicitated the members of the Vivekananda Self-Help Group (SHG) of Dakshin Charilam Gram Panchayat for winning the Best Stall Award at the 20th Regional Saras Mela held in Tripura.
The felicitation programme was organised at the local level to honour the achievement of the SHG, whose members successfully showcased traditional craftsmanship and innovative livelihood products at the prestigious regional fair. Saras Mela is considered one of the most important platforms in the state for promoting self-help groups, rural artisans, and women entrepreneurs by connecting them with wider markets.
Addressing the gathering, Chairperson Khela Bhowmik expressed happiness over the accomplishment and congratulated all the women members of the Vivekananda Self-Help Group for their dedication and teamwork. She said the award was not only a recognition of their hard work but also a matter of pride for the entire Charilam block. Emphasising the importance of sustained effort, she encouraged the SHG members to work with greater commitment so that they could earn recognition at the national level in the future.
“The success of self-help groups reflects the strength of grassroots development. Women’s economic empowerment is the backbone of rural progress,” Bhowmik said, adding that such achievements motivate other SHGs to improve quality, innovation, and marketing of their products.
Representing the group, Rupali Sarkar described the award as a proud moment for the Vivekananda SHG as well as for Charilam. She thanked the Block Development Officer and officials of the Charilam Rural Livelihood Mission for their continuous guidance, training support, and encouragement. According to her, regular mentoring and exposure through fairs like Saras Mela played a crucial role in enhancing the confidence and skills of the group members.
The women members of the self-help group informed that they displayed a wide range of products at the Saras Mela, including items made from bamboo and cane, along with handmade jewellery crafted using locally sourced materials. Their stall attracted a large number of visitors due to its blend of traditional design, utility, and affordable pricing.
The SHG members also expressed confidence that by forming non-farm collectives and strengthening production capacity, they would be able to perform even better in future state-level and national fairs. They stressed the need for continued institutional support, access to better markets, and branding opportunities to sustain growth.
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Assuring full cooperation, Chairperson Bhowmik stated that the Charilam Panchayat Samiti would extend all necessary support to strengthen self-help groups and promote women-led livelihood activities in the block. She reiterated the Panchayat Samiti’s commitment to encouraging rural entrepreneurship, skill development, and income generation for women under various government livelihood missions.
The felicitation event concluded with renewed optimism, highlighting how self-help groups are emerging as powerful agents of socio-economic change in rural Tripura.
