Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society (ORMAS) has launched ‘Rangotsav-2026’ in Bhubaneswar, a week-long fair aimed at encouraging safe, eco-friendly Holi celebrations while strengthening women-led rural enterprises.
The event showcases herbal abir (colours) prepared by women Self Help Groups (SHGs), alongside a diverse range of rural products including handicrafts, handloom items, and traditional Odia delicacies. A key highlight of the fair is chemical-free herbal gulal made from natural ingredients, positioned as a safer alternative to synthetic colours.
Organisers said the initiative is designed to create a sustainable urban market for rural women entrepreneurs, enabling direct engagement with consumers and improving income opportunities. By providing a structured platform for SHGs, ORMAS seeks to bridge the rural–urban economic divide and promote value addition to locally produced goods.
The fair also underscores efforts to integrate Odisha’s traditional arts and artisanal heritage with contemporary market demand, aligning cultural preservation with financial empowerment.
-OdishaAge
