Wed Jan 29 19:36:27 IST 2025: ## Tripura’s Tribal Crafts a Hit at Kerala’s Saras Mela

**Chengannur, Kerala –** Handmade crafts and indigenous food items from Tripura are proving a major draw at the Kudumbashree National Saras Mela in Chengannur, Kerala. The Tripura State stall, showcasing the work of the Chakma tribal community from Dhalai district, has seen brisk sales, with many items already sold out.

The stall features over 500 products created by the Nagari Self-Help Group (SHG), an eight-member group from Manikpur village. Their offerings include sesame laddu (a sweet made from sesame seeds), a variety of bamboo handicrafts (fans, vases, wall decorations), turmeric powder, sticky rice, jute bags, millets, and traditional handmade bags. The sesame seeds used in the popular laddu were cultivated using the traditional jhum farming technique.

Ananya Pal, State coordinator of the Tripura Rural Livelihood Mission, reported that the sesame laddu, in particular, was a huge success, selling out quickly. The mela, which began on January 20th, concludes this Friday. The success of the Tripura stall highlights the growing interest in and appreciation for indigenous crafts and products.

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