Bhubaneswar, Aug 18 (KNN) A special handloom expo organised by Sambalpuri Bastralaya is underway at Ekamra Haat in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

The primary objective of the exhibition is to boost sales and provide employment to weaver members of the PWCS/SHGs.

The handloom exhibition was inaugurated by Rita Sahu, Minister, Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts Department, on Wednesday.

Around 55 kiosk has been setup by the exclusive women SHG/PWCS of Baragrh, Cuttack, Sonepur, Athagarh, Baripada, Khurda, Nayagarh, Kalahandi, Bolangir , Koraput and Boudh Zone including Sambalpuri Bastralaya for showcasing their products.

More than 536 weavers and 718 handicraft artisans are participating in the handloom expo. All the stalls at the expo have been allotted at free of cost. Besides handicraft stalls, there are also food stalls that have been setup.

Sushant Kumar Dash, I.A.S., Director of Textiles & Handlooms, Odisha, Sampurnananda Pradhan, Secretary, Sambalpuri Bastralaya, Bargarh and Hemanta Kumar Mishra, Marketing Officer, Sambalpuri Bastralaya were amongst those present at the inaugural ceremony.

The Special Expo will conclude on August 31.  (KNN Bureau)