New Delhi: The Minister of Women & Child Development, Smt Maneka Sanjay Gandhi will inaugurate ‘Women of India Festival 2016’ of organic products by women at Dilli Haat at INA, New Delhi tomorrow. The Festival to be held from October 14-23, will offer on sale the biggest selection of organic products ranging from food, fabrics and furniture to wellness, personal care and solar products. Organised and sponsored by the Union Ministry of Women & Child Development, the ‘Women of India Festival 2016’celebrates and promotes women entrepreneurs from across India. Participants from the remotest areas of the country will travel to Delhi for the entire duration of the festival and sell their unique products in the capital.
This initiative is a move to benefit women entrepreneurs, and also actively promote organic food and products. The Women of India Festival is intended to highlight the health and environmental advantages of organic goods, provide a platform for women engaged in this economy and encourage the development of sustainable and easily accessible sales outlets for organic producers from remote areas.
Explaining the significance of the unique festival, Smt Maneka Gandhi has highlighted the importance of making a shift to organic, “Organic foods have been proven to contain more vitamins, minerals and nutrients than similar foods produced with chemical fertilizers, pesticides and preservatives. Organic farming relies on techniques such as crop rotation, green manure, compost, and natural methods of pest control. Children are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of pesticide exposure. We will make a concerted effort to make this alternative a popularly used one.” Organic plants and food crops have also been found to contain higher amounts of salicylic acid which fights bowel cancer; it helps to fight stress and disease.
Last year’s edition of ‘Women of India Festival’ selling organic produce saw thousands of people thronging to Dilli Haat each day. For the first time in India, over 500 women entrepreneurs from Leh to Kanyakumari and from Kohima to Kutch, came together with their organic products. This year will feature even more products including cereals, rice, pulses, spices, fabrics, dyes and dresses, cosmetics, household products, pickles, organic ice cream, preserves, oils, honey, tea, hair care, bath care, beauty care, aromatherapy products, kitchen composters, organic seeds and other bio products.
This year’s Festival will have 230 stalls and about 372 participants. The list includes producers from Delhi, NCR and 23 states/UTs. Apart from producers of locally grown and manufactured products, the participants also include Nourish Organic, The Altitude Store, Dew Drops, Organic World, Inhere Aajivika Utthan Samiti, Sonal White Cub, Aura Herbal Textiles, ASAL, Pro Nature Organics, Eco Green Unit, Avani, who will add further variety with their vast lifestyle range at the Organic Extravaganza.
