Mysore/Mysuru:  MLA Tanveer Sait inaugurated Hathkargha  Mela, a  State Handloom Exhibition and Sale at JSS Mysore Urban Haat in the city yesterday. The expo will be open up to Aug. 5 from 10 am to 9 pm. The entry is free.

The expo is organised under the joint auspices of Development Commissioner (Handlooms), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, New Delhi, along with the Commissioner and Director, Department of Handlooms and Textiles, Government of Karnataka, Karnataka State Handloom Weavers’ Co-operative Federation Ltd., Cauvery Handlooms, Bengaluru, Deputy Director, Department of Handlooms and Textiles, Mysuru and JSS Mahavidyapeetha.

Speaking after inaugurating the event, Sait said, the public should make judicious use of the Mela that has been organised to provide an opportunity for the people to gain access to the handicrafts of different States under one roof, without any middlemen interference.

The indigenous silk sarees including Molkalmur saree, Ilkal saree, embroidered sarees, cotton sarees, kanjivaram sarees, mats, bed sheets, handicraft products from Kerala, tussar sarees from Bihar and Jharkhand, Kantha sarees, Baluchori and Butik silk sarees from West Bengal, dress materials of various States are available.

Over 75 hand weavers from Chamarajanagar and various other districts are taking part in this Mela which is offering 20% discount on the products.

M.B. Dyaberi, former Principal Secretary and Board Member of JSS Mahavidyapeetha, G.P. Srinivas Murthy, Managing Director, Cauvery Handlooms, Bengaluru, Dr. C. Prabhakaran, Deputy Director, Weavers’ Service Centre, Union Ministry of Textiles, Bengaluru, B.J. Ganesh, President, Cauvery Handlooms, Bengaluru, H.K. Madesh, Development Officer, Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB), Mysuru, B.S. Somashekhar, Deputy Director, Department of Handlooms and Textiles, Mysuru and others were present.