New Delhi, February 16: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Aadi Mahotsav festival of the Tribal Co-Operative Marketing Development Federation of India Ltd. (TRIFED) at Major Dhyan Chand Stadium, New Delhi, on Thursday.
The Aadi Mahotsav is TRIFED’s flagship event. This year, it is being organised from February 16 to 27. This comes as an effort to showcase the tribal culture on the national stage. It features an exhibition-cum-sale of tribal handicrafts, handloom, paintings, jewellery, cane and bamboo, pottery, food, natural products, and tribal cuisine among other artefacts in over 200 stalls.
Among the Thirty-nine Van Dhan Vikas Kendras from 17 States and Union Territories, Sikkim is being represented by Nodal Officer (Mangan District), Cooperation Department Punol Shipmoo Lepcha, VDVK leader (Penlong) Mrs. Tashi Doma Bhutia and VDVK leader (Manghshila) Miss Rupa Limboo.
The products on the stall were produced under the “Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana”. The scheme envisages to promote forest products and market them with the branding by Van Dhan Vikas Kendras.
Since 2023 is being celebrated as the International Year of Millets, along with usual attractions, Penlong VDVK introduced their first ever millet soap and other products like mugwort soap, mugwort herbal tea, nettle tea, fruit tea, large cardamom, cardamom fibre mats amongst others.
In Sikkim, the nodal agency for this scheme is Department of Science and Technology and the implementing agency is Cooperation Department.
