Tata's Gram shree mela to start from March 27

Jamshedpur, March 25 (UNI) Tribal Cultural Society (TCS), a part of Tata Steel's Corporate Sustainability Services (CSS) department, is organising the 16th Gram Shree Mela 2007-08 here from March 27 to April five.

CSS chief Satish Pillai told media persons here today that about 15 states would participate in the annual fair.

Altogether 128 stalls would be the focal point of attraction for the fair, sponsored by Centre's Council for Advancement of People's Action and Rural Technology (CAPART).

Mr Pillai said the stalls for the local artisans would also be set up to give them exposure and promote their art.

''This will be a good opportunity to the locals to showcase their talents,''Mr Pillai said.

Gram Shree Mela (Wealth of Villages) plays important role in facilitating the marketing process of rural produce by bringing together the producers and buyers.

It started in 1989 with six melas and has grown to over 42 melas annually spread across the country.

The total returns accrued to the artisans are over Rs 2000 lakhs in the last 16 years.

UNI BDG PP DB1847