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I will always remember Dr. Priya Ranjan not only as the Chairman of JK Monitor, but as a mentor, guide and elder brother whose kindness shaped my life and work. Write a tribute at JAMMU: National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), J&K Regional Office organised “Grameen Bharat Mahotsav – A Rural Fest for Agriculture, Looms & Crafts” at Bahu Plaza, Trikuta Nagar, Jammu. The 3 day Mela, which commenced today and will continue up to 8 March 2026.
The Mahotsav was inaugurated by Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Finance, Shailendra Kumar, in presence of Chandrashekhar Azad, Regional Director, RBI; Dr. Shubhra Sharma, MD, JKRLM, Vikas Mittal, General Manager/Officer In charge, NABARD J&K RO and Sanjay Gupta, Chairman, Jammu and Kashmir Gramin Bank.
Shailendra Kumar visited the stalls set up by FPOs, OFPOs, SHGs and artisans. He interacted with the primary producers, artisans and farmers and appreciated their diverse range of rural products. He offered valuable suggestions to the participating FPOs, OFPOs and SHGs. The key attraction of the Mahotsav was the wide range of stalls set up by FPOs, OFPOs, SHGs and artisans promoted and supported by NABARD and JKRLM.
FPOs from Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh highlighted value added millets and rice products aligned with the modern nutrition trends. The exhibitors from Gujarat showcased GI tagged handicrafts with strong export potential while Himachal Pradesh brought its signature handloom products including the renowned Kullu woollens.
Adding a strong local flavour, the artisans from Jammu & Kashmir displayed Kani and Sozini Pashmina shawls, Basohli Pashmina, Chikri craft, saffron, walnut, almond, honey, lemongrass products and the celebrated GI tagged Mushkbudji rice, offering the visitors a glimpse into the region’s vibrant rural economy.
Speaking at the inaugural event, Vikas Mittal, GM/OIC, NABARD J&K, highlighted NABARD’s initiatives to strengthen FPOs. He encouraged the participants to utilise the Mahotsav as a learning opportunity to understand the consumer preferences. and market dynamics. He emphasized that such events enable the farmers to connect directly with retail buyers and bulk purchasers, ensuring better price realization and quality assurance
A Nukkad Natak was presented by Sargam Club Samba to promote awareness about financial literacy. The performers highlighted common types of online frauds occurring through various suspicious links. The act educated the viewers on recognizing such risks and staying cautious while using digital platforms. It effectively conveyed the importance of safe financial practices in daily life.
Dr. Shubhra Sharma, MD, JKRLM, appreciated NABARD’s efforts in bringing diverse rural primary producers/artisans/farmers onto a common platform, allowing the visitors to explore and purchase authentic products from farmers and artisans from across India. She also acknowledged NABARD’s contributions towards livelihood promotion and skill development.
Chandrashekhar Azad, Regional Director, RBI, commended NABARD for promoting rural entrepreneurship through the Mahotsav. He highlighted the importance of digital financial inclusion, noting how UPI and Priority Sector are lending support to empower the FPOs, OFPOs and SHGs. He also spoke about the RBI’s newly introduced Grameen Credit Score, emphasizing that it will significantly benefit the rural borrowers by improving their access to formal credit channels.
