Bilaspur’s Diwali exhibition features handmade goodies

The Municipal Council, Bilaspur, inaugurated a special Diwali exhibition and sale of handmade products prepared by self-help groups (SHGs) at Champa Park on Sunday.

Varsha Chaudhary, Senior Executive Officer of the Municipal Council, said 12 SHGs are participating in the event, presenting a diverse range of handmade items. She added that the exhibition aims to promote local crafts and traditional products during the festive season while empowering women working in urban SHGs by connecting their goods with the local market. “This initiative offers a strong platform for women entrepreneurs to showcase their creativity and reach a wider consumer base,” she said.

The exhibition features a rich variety of edible products, including pickles, chutneys, marmalade, jam, sheera, papad, maize and rice flour, popcorn, candies, salt, anardana (dried pomegranate seeds) and regional spices.

Equally captivating are the handcrafted textiles and decor items such as woollen sweaters, cushion covers, table mats, diwan sets, deity clothes, upcycled craft items, decorative flowers and other home décor pieces that highlight local craftsmanship.

A fast-food corner at the venue offers popular delicacies like kachori, siddu, tea and momos, while a dedicated herbal section showcases natural and herbal products, including handmade soaps.

Vandana Lakhanpal, Team Manager of the National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM), along with Munish Thakur and Sunila Kumari, also attended the event and appreciated the initiative for promoting women’s economic empowerment through local enterprise.