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A 10-day handicraft fair drew to a close on a promising note in Ranchi on Sunday with over 200 artisans from around the country expressing satisfaction over the response to their products.
According to the organisers, over 70,000 people visited the fair over the last 10 days, with the biggest turnout being on Gandhi Jayanti (October 2), setting the cash registers ringing with Rs 65 lakh in sales.
The fair had kicked off on September 28.
There were altogether 120 stalls selling handicraft items from Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Bengal, Odisha and Bihar.
A low entry fee of Rs 5 only had crowds flocking to Morabadi grounds to attend the fair organised by Samaj Vikas Sansthan.
Speaking to The Telegraph, secretary of the Sansthan Sanjay Kumar said not only did visitors praise what was on offer, but also expressed the hope that the fair would be back next year too.
“Rs 65 lakh is more than what we had expected and even the artisans were satisfied with the response,” the secretary said as he specially mentioned the terracotta artefacts, Gujarati products, carpets from Bhadoi and cotton salwar suits from Bhagalpur that were a huge hit with the buyers.
Meanwhile, kiosk owners from different states were seen catering to the demands of visitors on the last day of the fair even as they spoke of returning next year.
“We have sold terracotta items worth Rs 2 lakh, comprising mainly vases and decorative items,” said Prakhar Prajapati, a kiosk owner from Lucknow.
Poonam Ved from Gujarat who had stocked salwar suits and cushion covers looked elated as she had sold items worth Rs 80,000 and had also made many new contacts.
“Not only was sale good but I also met a lot of new customers,” she said.
Silk sarees, salwar suits and dupattas from Bhagalpur were a hit with college goers. “We sold mostly silk sawlar suits and dupattas in varied colours,” said Md Shamshir Alam, a kiosk owner from Bhagalpur.
If the organisers and artisans were happy, so were the visitors. “We especially liked the terracotta items from Lucknow for our living room and garden, as we rarely find such items in our city,” said visitor Kamal Singh.
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