Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB)
Udupi, March 9: The 16th edition of 'Namma Angadi', a three days long exhibition of goods which are designed and produced by artisans of Namma Bhoomi was inaugurated at SOC on Friday, March 9.
Deputy commissioner Hephsiba Rani, who inaugurated the exhibition, thanked the organizers for organizing a thoughtful event. “Shopping is tagged with women in different ways, because she spends on purchasing make up accessories, though men do the same. Some people always criticize women for their shopping. It makes little difference. Let's do something for the betterment of society. Running a household is most difficult,” she said.
Recalling her college days she said that she presented a paper on 'Gender and Geography'. “So this Namma Angadi concept touched me. SOC is providing a good platform for Namma Bhoomi artisans. It is a noble cause,” she said.
“Women come up with creativity and there are lots of women entrepreneurs in the city here. All of us have bigger responsibility of building a strong society. Economic empowerment liberates women and makes them independent,” she said. She appreciated the efforts of SOC students.
Padma Kumar, HOD of corporate communication, Damodar of Namma Bhoomi and SOC faculties were present.
Director of SOC, Padma Rani, extended a warm welcome. Suchi Rai, project manager proposed vote of thanks. Priyanka Rai compered the programme.
As every year, students of SOC were busy in attracting customers and made them to purchase. A wide variety of products were put up for sale this year including apparels with latest designs, hand-made jewelry, home décor, local food items, clay products, terracotta products, pure cotton (khadi) garments, bamboo products, jute products, lavancha products, wooden toys, accessories and men and women’s clothing were on display.
A good number of customers came for purchasing stuffs of their liking. There has been good response and support every year. As no middlemen are involved, whatever income comes from expo goes directly into the hands of Namma Bhoomi.
Namma Bhoomi products are known for its quality, finishing and reasonable price. SOC students are helping artisans to sell them.
School of Communication (SOC), Mahe, in collaboration with concerned for working children(CWC) organizes in March the three day long exhibition and sale of goods designed and produced by artisans of Namma Bhoomi.
The expo mela of Namma Angadi has got wide range of publicity. People were seen making enquiries before the exhibition.
The proceedings of current event will be given to Namma Bhoomi for the welfare of working children housed at Namma Bhoomi.
CWC is a non-profit making organization, founded in 1985. It dedicated to the cause of tackling issues surrounding child labour and empowering underprivileged children. The NGO is also responsible for the conception of Namma Bhoomi, a community campus housing a residential school for underprivileged children. The proceeds of the exhibition will go towards education of Children housed at Namma Angadi.
Prices are deliberately kept reasonable to appeal to the widest possible section of the community. The goods sold at Namma Angadi are sustainable, eco-friendly and hand-crafted, but with new technology and modern designs by interns from institutions like the National Institute of design. Selection of the product range is based on the needs of the rural consumer that might also have an urban use. All product materials are sourced from natural and eco-friendly sources – usually from the forest, villages or plantations.
Over the years, hundreds of artisans and craft persons have joined the Namma Angadi collective and found a new market for their goods.
The exhibition will be open till Sunday, March 10 from 9 am to 8 pm.
Workshops on various subjects are also being held.
Daijiworld is the media partner of the event.