New Delhi, Aug 26 : Rural Development Minister Dr. Raghuvansh Prasad Singh will inaugurate the SARAS mela, an exposition of rural artisans from across the country, here today.

It is being jointly organised by the Ministry of Rural Development and the Council for People's Action and Rural Technology (CAPART).

The fortnight long mela will continue till September 8. It aims to facilitate the Swarna Jayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana(SGSY) beneficiaries, rural artisans, craftsmen, Self Help Groups (SHGs) to exhibit and sell their products and provide them the opportunity for additional income and exposure.

This exhibition-cum-sale fair will display a wide range of products manufactured by the rural artisans, craftsmen and beneficiaries of SHGs across the country.

Attractive products on sale include bamboo artifacts, traditional and ayurvedic medicines, metalwork, woodwork, Madhubani paintings, terracotta, shawls, carpets, food products among others.

The mela also aims at creating a unique platform for developing linkages with customers and providing an opportunity to artisans to interact with the buyers directly.

Lively cultural programmes by artists from different States will be another major attraction of this mega event.

Ever since its inception in 1980, this mega-event has evolved into Asia's largest show of its kind. It provides a window to the broad spectrum of industrial progress set in the global background.

ANI