Bhubaneswar: A women-led Self-Help Group (SHG) from Odisha’s Nayagada district has brought laurels to the state by winning first prize in the non-agricultural handicrafts category at the national-level SARAS Mela held in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh.
The Narayan SHG, based in Gania block, was recognised for its efforts to preserve and promote Odisha’s traditional wooden toy-making craft while empowering rural women through livelihood opportunities.
Led by ‘Maha Lakhpati Didi’ Pramila Maharana, the group has carved a distinct identity through its traditional wooden handicrafts, showcasing the potential of indigenous art forms to generate sustainable livelihoods and promote financial independence among rural women.
The achievement highlights the growing contribution of women-led SHGs in preserving traditional crafts, encouraging rural entrepreneurship and strengthening the rural economy.
Congratulating the group, the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), Odisha, took to social media platform X to appreciate the members for their dedication and hard work in taking the state’s traditional art and cultural heritage to the national stage.
“Heartiest congratulations and best wishes to all the women members of the Narayan SHG, who, through their dedication and hard work, have taken Odisha’s traditional art and cultural heritage to the national stage,” the CMO said in its post.
