Yellow Ribbon NGO Fair to be inaugurated

PUNE: In the past 11 years, many NGOs, self-help groups (SHGs), farmer producers and artisans have improved their financial condition through a fair, which is organised to sell environment-friendly, organic farm produce and artistic products of small farmers and tribal farmers from across India.

This year, the Ishanya Foundation organised its 12th edition of the Yellow Ribbon NGO Fair, where products are showcased at stalls. With the theme ‘2 Help 4 Happiness’, the fair will create an opportunity to learn, share, generate ideas and marketing awareness in urban and rural markets.

Ishanya Foundation Trustee Parul Mehta said, “The fair aims to provide a larger platform to artisans, recognise their individuality, and empower them to become self-reliant.”

The Sampurna Shetkari Gat, an SHG, trained 150 farmers from 22 SHGs. Ajara Agro, a farmer producer company, which produces special variety of Ajara rice is participating. A 75-year-old saree weaver Mayurbhai Patolawala from Rajkot hopes their artisans will benefit from the fair.

Mehta said products were coming from Rajasthan, Gujarat, Himachal and other parts of the country. ‘Sagomaya Diyas’ (made of cow dung) is a unique product to support farmers for earning additional income. Snacks like bhakri, thalipeeth, brinjal bharta, pulao, modak and more prepared by rural women of Maharashtra would be available for sale at the stalls.

The four-day Yellow Ribbon NGO Fair will be inaugurated on September 20 and commence from September 21 to September 23. The event started in the year 2008 and is now in its 12th year.