Times of India
02 October 2009
Pune, India

Colourful handicrafts, dress materials, candles, home utility items, greeting cards, stationary items, pottery, paintings, eatables, home decor and much more. The second Yellow Ribbon NGO fair flaunts all these varieties for the next three days.

The fair began at Ishanya Mall on Thursday and will be open till October 4, from 11 am to 8 pm each day. It was inaugurated by Sumantai Kirloskar. P Satish, chief general manager, Maharashtra region, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), was also present. “We always find a missing link between the products these women make and a ready market. But to bridge this gap, we want institutions to take such works and display them, so that these women can earn their livelihoods,” said Satish.

The fair has been organised by Ishanya Foundation. The first edition of the fair last year had some 47 stalls. This year, the number has almost doubled.

More than 70 stalls by NGOs and women’s self–help groups have put up their products for sale. NGOs and SHGs from Pune, Nashik, Aurangabad, Wardha and Uralikanchan have put up the stalls.

“We wanted to create opporunities for everyone in the society and offer a helping hand to the underprivileged. The event focuses on society helping society rather than asking for mere donations,” said Parul Mehta, director of Ishanya Foundation.

“In the last one year, the NGOs and SHGs have networked better, upgraded the quality of their products and have begun competing in the market,” observed Mehta.

She further said that there are plans to provide a permanent platform to these organisations. “We are keen on starting a permanent space for their displays here, but that will take time. Meanwhile, we are spreading awareness about their products,” she added.