The Asian Heritage Foundation (AHF) is organising a ‘Mandar Mahua Mela’ for the first time from October 8 to October 10 at Tainsera village, Gulma district Jharkhand.
AHF aims to make the fair an annual public outreach programme with a mission to showcase what villages in India can make for the world. The occasion also marks the inauguration of ‘Jiyo’s’ first rural hand skill laboratory- Jiyo Mahilla Kaushal Prayogshaala in the village.
“The food processing unit called Jiyo Mahilla Mandal, Gumla which is being inaugurated at the event will be involved in making traditional pickles made from Mahua and bamboo.
Drinks, jellies and jams made from Mahua will also be made here. With the aim of empowering women, the unit has about 95 percent women workers,” said AHF State Cordinator, Prem Kumar Gupta With a mission to empower villages in the State, the fair will have a display of various art and craft items, dying tribal culture and the local delicacies.
A local bazaar called the ‘Haat’ will also be organised providing a platform for the local artisans.
“Like old times, when everyone would sit together for a meal, a Sarva Bhoj is also being organised where a fistful of grain from every house will be cooked together. This will be followed by songs and dances on Nagpuri beats,” added Gupta.
AHF’s Jiyo project is primarily working to revive the art and craft in three States- Jharkhand, Odisha and Madhya Pradesh. The funding of this project is being done by Japan Social Development Fund and is monitored by the World Bank.