Curtain Raiser to Mega Handloom & Handicrafts Fair ‘Sisir Saras–2026

* The 9-day long fair to be a grand celebration of rural art, women entrepreneurship, and indigenous products

* Sisir Saras reflects the spirit of self-reliance: Minister Gokula Nanda Mallik

* Food courts, selfie corners and play zones enhance visitor experience

Bhubaneswar, 10.01.2026: The IDCO Exhibition Ground transformed into a bustling hub of culture and commerce on Saturday evening as the mega-exhibition “Sisir Saras–2026” was officially launched. The Hon’ble Minister for Fisheries & Animal Resources Development, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Shri Gokula Nanda Mallik, inaugurated the event, which is being organized by the Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society (ORMAS) under the Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water Department.

Shri Mallik addressed a diverse group of artisans and visitors, describing Sisir Saras as a critical catalyst for rural self-sufficiency. He stated that the fair is much more than just a marketplace; it is a profound reflection of empowerment at the grassroot level, intended to bridge the gap between rural producers and urban consumers. By providing direct market access, the event ensures that women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and traditional artisans achieve the economic independence they deserve based on their specialized skills.

BMC Mayor Smt. Sulochana Das highlighted and praised ORMAS’s efforts to preserve the state’s rich cultural legacy. She emphasized how the fair revitalizes traditional craftsmanship by bringing local products to a national audience, resulting in long-term job opportunities.

Hon’ble MLA Shri Ananta Narayan Jena also attended the event and emphasized the importance of such initiatives in bolstering the rural economy. Dr. Monica Priyadarshini, CEO, ORMAS, gave the welcome address, and Shri Sanjeeb Kumar Singh, Additional CEO, ORMAS, delivered the vote of thanks.

This year’s Sisir Saras creates a lively “Mini India Market” by bringing together producers and artisans from all 30 districts of Odisha and from 20 other states. The fair offers a wide variety of products with 340 stalls on display, and numerous food counters that add to the vibrant visitor experience.

The fair showcases a variety of indigenous and GI-tagged goods, such as handlooms from Sambalpur and Subarnapur, Kalajeera rice from Koraput, and millet products from Sundargarh, all of which reflect the idea of “Vocal for Local.” For this edition, an approximate business target of Rs. 30 crores has been set.

The event will host daily cultural evenings with performances by Bollywood singer Divya Kumar and several other noted artists. A special tribute programme will also be organised in fond memory of the late and much-loved Odia singer Humane Sagar. In addition, the fair includes selfie point, a game zone, and a dynamic food court, adding to its appeal as a full-fledged family event.

Special emphasis has been placed on keeping the venue clean, plastic-free, and well-organized. The roads leading to the fairground have been aesthetically enhanced with traditional Jhoti art, while essential amenities such as drinking water, adequate lighting, and robust security arrangements have been ensured for the public. The Sisir Saras-2026 fair is open to the public daily from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM and will continue till January 18, 2026.