Rural development department joint director Sanjay Kumar addresses the news meet in Patna on Monday. Picture by Ashok Sinha

Patna, Dec. 19: Time to grab some unique products is slowly drawing to a close and residents should either waste no time visiting Saras Mela or be sorry. District Rural Development Authority (DRDA) director Khurshid Alam’s message is clear.

The regional Saras Mela, a joint initiative of the Union and the state rural development departments, will end on Wednesday. Alam said today’s news meet had only one purpose — to inform residents about the products on sale at the fair.

Yesterday, Saras Mela registered a profit of Rs 8 lakh. But many residents are still not aware about the fair, the organisers claimed.

Terming the fair a “unique mela” for participation of entrepreueners from 17 states across the country, Alam said: “Many self-help groups are taking part in the fair so the residents would get several unique products, which won’t be available in the local markets.”

On the most popular items at the regional Saras Mela, joint director of the state rural development department Sanjay Kumar said: “Silk garments and carpets from Bhadohi (Uttar Pradesh) and wooden furniture from Saharanpur (also in Uttar Pradesh) are the most popular items at this year’s Saras Mela.”

Alam said gift coupons are also drawing residents to the fair. As part of the scheme, on a minimum amount of purchase, a lucky draw is conducted where the winner gets a gift voucher worth Rs 5,000.

Visitors coming in the second place receive gift vouchers worth Rs 2,000 while three winners for the third place are given Rs 1,000 worth gift vouchers.