Gandhi Bunakar mela opens in Vijayawada

The Gandhi Bunakar Mela, a national-level handloom exhibition aimed at supporting handloom weavers and promoting traditional textiles, was inaugurated in Vijayawada on Wednesday. The 14-day event will continue till March 31, offering a platform for artisans from across the country to showcase their craft.

The exhibition was formally inaugurated by Special Chief Secretary for Industries and Commerce (Handlooms and Textiles) R.P. Sisodia, along with District Collector G. Lakshmisha, and other officials at Sri Sheshasai Kalyana Vedika.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Sisodia said the primary objective of the mela is to provide enhanced marketing opportunities to handloom weavers and bring nationally-renowned handloom products under one roof. He said that over 100 handloom societies and organisations from States including Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Haryana were participating in the event, with more than 110 stalls set up.

He said last year’s mela recorded sales worth ₹3 crore and expressed hope that this year’s figures would surpass that mark. He urged textile enthusiasts from NTR and Krishna districts, as well as neighbouring regions, to visit the exhibition and support the handloom community.

District Collector Dr. Lakshmisha described the mela as a unique platform showcasing innovative designs and high-quality handloom products. He encouraged the public to make the most of the exhibition, especially in view of the upcoming Ugadi festival and summer season.

The Collector also emphasised the State government’s commitment to promoting handlooms and handicrafts through focused initiatives. He highlighted efforts under the “One District – One Product” scheme, particularly the promotion of Kondapalli toys with modern design interventions and skill development programmes for artisans.

Several senior officials from the Handlooms and Textiles Department, APCO, and the Vijayawada Weavers’ Service Centre were present at the event.