Rudrapur: women earn over ₹10 lakh in five days at Nagar Nigam's Diwali swadeshi fair; pickles, papads, diyas, jute bags and clay pots sell well

Women who set up stalls at the Diwali swadeshi fair organised by the Rudrapur Nagar Nigam in Gandhi Park from November 5 to 9 earned over ₹10 lakh in five days. According to Amar Ujala, the fair had stalls of home-made pickles, papads, diyas, candles, decorative items, handloom, jute bags, clay pots, woollen clothes and traditional dishes, and people snapped up the local and handmade goods. The Nagar Nigam gave the women free stalls, lighting and security, which also gave women from rural areas a chance to show their skills. Women from Kashipur, Dineshpur, Rudrapur and Gadarpur said they had never sold so much before; one sold out her entire stock in just three days, while another is now thinking of selling online. Mayor Vikas Sharma said more such fairs will be held to promote local products and help women become self-reliant.