CM praises artisans as Saras Mela draws lakhs, adopts green model

Sheezan Nezami & Adwitiya Deb

Patna: CM Nitish Kumar on Thursday visited the Saras Mela at Gandhi Maidan and expressed satisfaction over both the wide range of rural products on display and the efforts being made to turn the event into a model of sustainable public gathering. The annual fair, which runs from Dec 12 to Dec 28, has emerged as a major platform for rural artisans , self-help groups and entrepreneurs from across the country, while also demonstrating how large-scale events can be organised with minimal environmental impact.

Walking through the stalls, the CM interacted with exhibitors and closely observed products ranging from handicrafts and folk art to national artefacts representing different regions of India. He noted that such fairs not only celebrate cultural diversity but also strengthen livelihoods in rural areas by connecting producers directly with consumers.

“Saras Mela has carved out a unique identity for itself. The products here are not only impressive but also reflect the rich cultural heritage of our rural communities,” read an official statement issued by the chief minister’s office.

Nitish highlighted the role of such platforms in boosting rural entrepreneurship and said the state govt has been consistently supporting artisans and small entrepreneurs through policy interventions. “We have implemented several measures under the continuous employment scheme to support rural entrepreneurs. Our focus is on assisting them with marketing and branding, ensuring their products reach a wider audience,” he said.

Stall owners at the Mela reported encouraging sales and strong footfall, attributing the response to the scale of the event, better arrangements and the participation of sellers from different states. With lakhs of visitors arriving daily, Saras Mela has become one of the biggest seasonal attractions in the state, drawing families, tourists and buyers from across Bihar and neighbouring regions.

Alongside its commercial and cultural appeal, the fair is also being developed as a zero-waste event. Despite the heavy footfall since its opening, the premises have remained largely clean due to a waste management system that focuses on segregation at source and on-site processing. Dry waste such as plastic, paper and packaging materials is collected separately and sent for recycling, while organic and food waste is treated within the fairgrounds itself.

A dedicated processing plant has been installed inside Gandhi Maidan to handle wet waste, reducing the need to transport garbage to dumping sites. This approach is aimed at minimising the environmental footprint of the event while maintaining hygiene and cleanliness throughout the venue.

The Patna Municipal Corporation is overseeing the initiative through a mix of enforcement and public awareness. Municipal workers deployed at the fair said coordination with shopkeepers and food stall operators is a key part of the system. “We coordinate with shopkeepers and food stall operators to ensure compliance with waste protocols. At the same time, staff members direct visitors to use specific bins for different types of waste and to limit the use of single-use plastics,” municipal workers said.

Officials said the zero-waste initiative builds on similar models adopted by the civic body during elections and other major events. By combining infrastructure with continuous public guidance, the PMC aims to demonstrate that even large gatherings can be managed in an environmentally responsible manner.

Principal secretary to the CM, Deepak Kumar, secretary to the CM Kumar Ravi, Chandreshekhar Singh and Jeevika chief executive officer Himanshu Sharma were present during Nitish’s visit to the Saras Mela.