New Delhi: The Women of India Exhibition 2016 being held at Dilli Haat, INA, New Delhi is receiving a tremendous response from the visitors. Organised by the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development, the unique exhibition is being held from 14th to 23rd October, 2016 to promote women entrepreneurs engaged in manufacture and promotion of organic products ranging from food, fabrics, wellness, personal care among others. The Exhibition of organic products in this fair mainly promotes women entrepreneurs across the country to showcase their organic products to visitors at the exhibition. Major objectives of the exhibition are to: support and encourage women entrepreneurs engaged in promotion of organic products/ farming; provide an opportunity to exhibit their products for wider publicity and recognition; and share their experiences in promotion of organic products in their rural areas with other participating women entrepreneurs. The exhibition also focuses on generating awareness among the public, on the benefits of organic products aiming at sustainable healthy life. The Exhibition is held for a period of two weeks every year during the month of October-November, which encourages grass root level women entrepreneurs to participate in the exhibition. Women entrepreneurs also gather information on preparation of organic product highlighting health and environmental advances of organic food etc, from their counterparts.
Nearly 300 women entrepreneurs from Leh to Kanyakumari and Kohima to Kutch, have come to participate in the exhibition with their organic products, ranging from 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, solar products, kitchen composters, organic cotton fabric, linen, organic seeds, sikki grass art & crafts, handicrafts made of recycled scrap, sea shells, papier mache products, ready to eat snacks, water hyacinth craft, cowdung air purifier, jute craft, jackfruit products, wild edible forest products, agarbatti, loban and other bio products etc.
The exhibition was inaugurated by the WCD Minister Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi on 14th October, 2016. The footfall for the exhibition ranges from 3000- 5000 visitors on weekdays and 5000-7000 on holidays which also include a large number of foreign nationals. The fair is well perceived by foreign nationals as the importance of organic foods/ products are explained by the rural women entrepreneurs and artisans in the exhibition which motivate them to purchase organic products. Total sales per day in the exhibition ranges from Rs. 6 – 7 lakh on weekdays and Rs. 7- 10 lakhs on holidays. The total sales during the first six days of the exhibition amounted to Rs. 50.75 lakhs.
