Odisha’s Rural Crafts Shine at 44th India International Trade Fair-2025

Bhubaneswar, Nov 24: Odisha’s rich rural heritage and craftsmanship took centre stage at the 44th India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2025 in New Delhi, where products created by women-led Self Help Groups (SHGs) drew significant attention from domestic and international visitors.

According to officials, the Odisha Pavilion—set up with participation from Mission Shakti and the Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society (ORMAS)—presented a vivid reflection of a self-reliant India, aligned with the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat’.

This year, the pavilion featured six ORMAS stalls and four Mission Shakti stalls, showcasing an extensive range of handcrafted products created by rural women artisans. Live craft demonstrations were also organised at a dedicated platform, offering visitors a deeper glimpse into Odisha’s traditional artistry.

At the ORMAS section, visitors explored a diverse collection of daily-use products and decorative items, including:

• Gourd-based handicrafts by Prerana SHG, Rayagada
• Dokra metal craft by Jai Jagannath SHG, Dhenkanal
• Lac jewellery from Nilagiri, Balasore
• Traditional sweets and chhenapoda from Nayagarh
• Tussar handloom garments by artisans from Jajpur
• Eco-friendly coir products and toys from Puri

The Mission Shakti stalls showcased:

• Pattachitra paintings from Raghurajpur in Puri
• Golden grass and sabai grass craft from Kendrapara
• Paddy art from Nabarangpur
• Paper mache creations from Keonjhar

Officials said that senior representatives from state administrations, ministries and business organisations visited the pavilion and interacted with stall managers to explore collaborations in production, marketing and scaling of the displayed products.

With the successful showcasing at the IITF, Odisha’s traditional handicrafts and women-led micro-enterprises are expected to gain further national exposure and business opportunities, strengthening rural livelihoods and promoting the state’s cultural identity on global platforms.