India, Oct. 21 -- A nine-day Shilp Samagam Mela in Mysuru concluded on Monday, drawing thousands of visitors to the Dasara Exhibition Grounds and providing a marketing platform for artisans from 12 states and Union Territories. The next edition of the fair will begin in Guwahati on Wednesday, bringing together 75 artisans, including 31 women, to showcase around 40 varieties of traditional handloom and handicraft products.

Organised by the Union ministry of social justice and empowerment, the initiative seeks to strengthen market access, promote entrepreneurship and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for artisans belonging to Scheduled Castes (SCs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Safai Mitras and Denotified Tribes (DNTs).

The Gu...