PANAJI: Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant will inaugurate 12-day Goa Saras 2020 organised by the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA), South at the SGPDA ground, Margao at 4:30 pm on Thursday, January 23. On the occasion, Deputy Chief Ministers Babu Kavlekar, Babu Ajgaonkar, RDA Minister Michael Lobo, Leader of the Opposition Digambar Kamat, Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai, Margao chairperson Pooja Naik, South Goa ZP adhyaksh Navnath Naik and Secretary (RDA) Sanjay Gihar will be present. Speaking to reporters, RDA Minister Michael Lobo on Wednesday said that Saras is organised every year so as to promote self-help groups (SHGs) members/artisans to display their talent and earn their livelihood. The Saras is an exclusive event where SHG members pull their financial resources together and earn income by sharing their profits keeping in mind the focus of national rural livelihood mission programme (Streeshakti). Lobo said that nearly 250 artisans from 13 States from across the country will participate in the Goa Saras and showcase their handicrafts, handlooms and cultural fabric of India. There will be about 200 stalls.
Various competitions such as fancy dress and magic show and other entertainment programmes will be organised in the evening on all days to enhance public participation, he added. According to Lobo, the Government of India had given financial support of Rs 35 lakh for organising the Goa Saras fair and the expenditure incurred over and above the sanctioned amount will be borne by the State government. The RDA Minister has appealed to the people of Goa to visit Goa Saras 2020 and encourage SHG members and artisans and help them to earn a good income. Entry to the exhibition is free for visitors 9:30 am to 9 pm. Lobo also disclosed his plans to hold similar fair in North Goa especially to provide a platform for SHG members and artisans from Goa. Project Director, DRDA - North and ex-officio joint secretary (RDA) Sanjit Rodrigues and Project direcror, DRDA - South Meena Naik Goltekar were also present for press briefing.