Burhanpur (Madhya Pradesh), February 27 – A vibrant two-day "Aajeevika Holi Mela" began on Friday in Burhanpur, Madhya Pradesh.
The event was marked by the festive atmosphere and the spirit of women-led entrepreneurship.
The fair is being organized by the Madhya Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission (MPSRLM) under the Panchayat and Rural Development Department at the Old Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Office premises.
The objective of the event is to promote rural women empowerment by providing a platform to women associated with self-help groups under the Aajeevika Mission.
Herbal colors and natural dyes made from flowers are being sold at stalls in the fair.
These items are a major attraction during the event.
A variety of homemade products are also available at the fair.
Residents from across the district and other adjoining areas are visiting the venue in large numbers.
They are all enthusiastically purchasing eco-friendly products in preparation for Holi.
Women entrepreneurs participating in the fair shared their experiences with IANS.
They are preparing completely natural and chemical-free colors to ensure that there is no harm to the skin, they told IANS.
According to officials, their initiative not only promotes health-conscious celebrations but also supports sustainable and environmentally friendly practices.
A member of the Aajeevika Mission, Jainu Tadvi, who is running a stall at the fair, expressed happiness over the overwhelming response the fair has received.
Jainu said that the platform has helped women like her gain confidence.
Moreover, financial independence is another benefit that the fair ensures, she added.
Another Aajeevika Mission member and entrepreneur, Rajni Verma, said that how the training and support provided under the mission have enabled rural women to transform their skills into sustainable livelihoods.
District Aajeevika Mission Officer, Santwati Khalko, said that the objective of the fair is to strengthen women's economic participation and connect their products directly with consumers.
She emphasised that such initiatives are playing a crucial role in empowering self-help groups at the grassroots level.
A resident of the district, Kriti Chauhan, visited the fair to purchase various items.
She appreciated the quality of the herbal colors.
