Gondwana National Livelihood, Art and Cultural Festival 2023 | 28 Mar 2023

Why in News?

On 27 March 2023, Chhattisgarh's Agriculture Minister Ravindra Choubey inaugurated the four-day 'Gondwana National Livelihood, Art and Cultural Festival 2023' at BTI Ground, Shankar Nagar Raipur. This event is being organized by the Chhattisgarh Regional Office of NABARD till March 30.

Key Points

  • NABARD has sponsored 120 stalls in the exhibition in which 250 participants including NABARD supported self-help groups, FPOs, artisans from non-agriculture sector have participated.
  • 125 participants from various districts of Chhattisgarh, as well as 125 participants from other 15 states of the country namely Maharashtra, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh and Haryana participated in the exhibition and take advantage of it. Apart from this, 125 farmers and artisans from 5 districts of the state have also been invited on exposure visits.
  • On this occasion, Agriculture Minister Ravindra Choubey said that such events will play an important role in promoting tribal and cultural tradition. The organization of this fair will encourage rural cottage industries and handicrafts and provide better employment opportunities.
  • Apex Bank Chairman Baijnath Chandrakar said that in this national fair of NABARD, stalls have been set up for the exhibition and sale of items manufactured by rural artisans, weavers, self-help groups and farmers from Chhattisgarh as well as other states. NABARD also organizes training programs from time to time to encourage such craftsmen and artisans.
  • NABARD Chief General Manager Dr. Gyanendra Mani explained the importance of 'Gondwana National Livelihood, Art and Cultural Festival 2023' and said that NABARD is playing an important role in making rural India self-reliant. Its objective is to provide a platform for display and sale of various products manufactured by NABARD supported Self Help Groups, Artisans, Producer Organizations, Handlooms, Handicrafts Men working in rural areas.