Nuapada: In order to promote women entrepreneurship and cultural traditions of Odisha, the district administration, Nuapada and Odisha government’s mission in favor of the Energy Department, Subhadra Shakti Mela-2026, has been inaugurated in Varnadhya environment in the National University campus of Nuapada. The fair will be held from March 10 to 16 throughout the week. In the inauguration ceremony presided over by Nuapada District Magistrate Madhu Sudan Dash, Nuapada District Council Chairperson Mrs. Dolly Majhi attended as the chief guest. Nuapada District Security Officer Amritpal Singh, Bankhand Officer (Retd) Khadial Aziz Khan, Nuapada Panchayat Samiti Chairperson Ms. Tarashwari Sahu, Kharia Road Bipitan Regional Council Chairperson were the guests of honour. Dr. Sonia Jain and District Councilor Ms. Uma Thakur were present. First the fair was inaugurated by the distinguished guests. Later, the guests toured the stalls and saw various handicrafts, home products, food products and other items prepared by women self help groups and local entrepreneurs. Then the cultural evening was launched after lamp lighting and worship. The guests in the meeting said that such fairs are important for women empowerment and economic development of self-help groups. The winners of the race and mehendi competition organized during the fair were felicitated and mementoes were given to the guests on the stage. District Information and Public Relations Officer Vidyapati Panda gave the vote of thanks l On the first day of cultural program, Radheshyam Ghumura team of Komnar, Eklabya Model Residential School, Nuapada KGBV School, Kosala Folk Academy, Ma Binapani Bhajsal (Konabira) performed interesting dances. Similarly, the star night program organized on the first day evening, the audience was mesmerized by the mesmerizing orchestra of famous artiste Chasshri, Debash Pati and Shudalakshmi. On the occasion, the District Collector told reporters that through Subhadra Shakti Mela, the aim is to provide market access to the products of women self-help groups and further strengthen women empowerment. He called upon the people of the district to come to the fair in large numbers to visit the stalls, purchase the products of self-help groups and enjoy the cultural program. In this week-long fair, about 300 entrepreneurs and various self-help groups of the district and the state are displaying and selling their handicrafts, household products, food products and other items. Besides, the fair grounds will be festive as there will be various cultural programs every evening.
Biswanath Samal’s report from Nuapada, Fast News Odisha