The glittering Christmas decorations and the loudspeaker blaring popular English numbers beckon the festive season shoppers to the ongoing sale -cum-exhibition at the Mother Teresa Women’s Complex in Nungambakkam. Organised by the Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women, the State-level expo is showcasing products of self-help groups from various districts.
According to the corporation, exhibitions have proved to be the most effective way to market SHG products. Hence, district and State-level exhibitions are organised on a regular basis. The SHGs have also participated in India International Fair in Delhi and Regional SARAS exhibitions organised by the Ministry of Rural Development.
“The exhibitions are held thrice every year at the complex, during Chithirai, Christmas-Pongal and Navarathri,” said S Uma Maheswari, community resource person.
Without doubt, the SHG expo, housing 43 stalls, is a crowd puller and Triplicane residents S Malathi (40) and V Lalitha (55) are early birds. “I never miss any exhibition in the city. And I particularly like the costume jewellery here,” said Malathi, displaying the duo’s first purchase of a pair of glittering beaded bangles for `100.
The SHG representatives manning the stalls are equally enthusiastic. Ammukannu (50), member of Amudha Surabi SHG in Erode, says the group operates its own looms where mats, towels and sarees are woven. The products come with a price tag ranging between `50 to `500.
The adjacent one displays high-end ‘Samundrika’ saris priced `11,500 from Kanchipuram, which has a total of three stalls showcasing Kanchi cotton, jute products, churidar material and handicrafts from Mamallapuram. And if you are looking for hygienic, nature-friendly disposable plates for your party, then the IFAD stall from Tiruvallur has them made from dried areca nut leaf.
A range of organic food products like thinai arisi and different types of lentils for the health conscious and pickles, cashews and fruit syrup for the foodies line the shelves. Lace products, dining table runners, tea coasters, table cloth, artificial jewellery, bags and decorative articles are a feast to the eye.
The corporation plans to open a web portal ‘Mathi Bazaar’ to promote online marketing.
(Expo is on till Jan 15).