Pics: Umesh Marpalli

Daijiworld Media Network—Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Mar 12: ‘Namma Angadi-2015’ a three-day of exhibition-cum-sale, organized by post graduation students of School of Communication (SOC) has begun from March 11at the College campus in Manipal, Udupi.

Namma Angadi began as an outlet for rural artisans where stalls were put up on local market days to help villagers sell their products. The network now has two outlets – one at CWC’s office in Bangalore, and the other at its residential resource centre, ‘Namma Bhoomi’, in Kundapur.

Dr Nandini Laxmikantha, director and professor of SOC, said in the press meet, “Like every year, this year too, the SOC has organized an annual workshop for three days. About 25 members of the students’ group are handling this task. There will be typical rural products. Student initiation is very important and it helps to understand marketing strategy. This is the second event and intended to empower students through promoting rural artisans.”

The opening ceremony on Friday March 13 will be inaugurated by chief guest Dr H S Ballal, Pro Chancellor, Manipal University, at 10 am. Varadesh Hiregange, director, Gandhian and Peace Studies, Manipal University, and Damodar Acharya, executive director, CWC, will be the guests of honour and the entire faculty and staff will be present for the grand opening ceremony.

A signatory display booth of the products and a stationery drive was organized on Monday March 9 and will also be held on Thursday March 11, and Friday March 12, at Manipal University’s KMC Food Court, MIT Food Court, and Marena, the sports complex. A promotional bike rally was organized on Tuesday March 10. In addition, a drawing competition for the children of Namma Bhoomi was also conducted.

This edition of Namma Angadi has a completely new range of products including new designs and prints in ethnic garments for men, clay and terracotta products, garments, bamboo products, jute products, ‘Lavancha’ products, wooden products, accessories, and furniture. ‘Namma Angadi-2015’ is built around the theme ‘shop local’ and promises an entertaining and one-of-a-kind shopping experience.

CWC, a not-for-profit secular, democratic, development agency created this unique residential resource centre to provide vocational training to local working children besides empowering and supporting rural artisans.

There are no middlemen in the process and CWC makes no income from the sales. Profits are returned to the producers who are also part-owners of the business. All products are sustainable, eco-friendly, and hand-crafted. They are priced reasonably to appeal to the widest possible section of the community.

Daijiworld.com is the official medial partner of this three-day event.