Kajri sarees sell like hot cakes in H'bag fair

HAZARIBAG: In a bid to encourage the rural artisans who weave Kajri cotton sarees among other items, deputy commissioner (DC) Nancy Sahay inaugurated an exhibition that the district administration organised under the DMFT fund at the Sarley Park on August 15.
Earlier on Wednesday, DC Nancy along with deputy development commissioner (DDC) Prerna Dikshit inaugurated a centre set up by the Marshal Prathmik Boonkar Sahyog Samiti at Kajri village under Churchu block.The centre has been established at a cost of Rs 40 lakh.
DC Nancy said, "My aim is to support the rural artisans and promote their products in Hazaribag."
Samiti secretary Suresh Murmu said the financial assistance and cooperation rendered to them at the initiative of the DC and the DDC was a great encouragement not only for the members of this society, but also the artisans who weave kajri cotton sarees on looms. A total of 30 tribal women members work in this society.
Out of the eight stalls that have been set up at the Hastshilp Mela, two stalls were allotted to them. They have sold kajri sarees, worth Rs 12,500, on the first day itself. This would encourage the weavers to increase their production, Suresh added.
Exuding happiness at the number of sarees sold, Suresh said the customers of Hazaribag town, who visited the fair, took the contact numbers of the society members and placed orders for sarees with customised designs. They have raw materials to manufacture 450 sarees, he added.
Though the cooperative society was formed two years ago, the members faced a challenge in selling their products in outside markets. Now their problem has been solved. The administration has boosted their morale by holding the exhibition in Hazaribag, he quipped.
Meanwhile, the society also makes woollen shawls, home decor items with jute, jewelleries, and sculptures. The district administration spokesperson said the first day of the event recorded a sale of Rs 74,000, of which jute products and jewelleries sold for Rs 17,657 and palash products, sohrai designs were worth Rs 10,450.