Diwali delights at Ranchi fair

Yet to finish your Diwali shopping? Head to JAP-1 grounds in Doranda, Ranchi.

Chief minister Arjun Munda on Friday inaugurated the four-day Diwali Mela organised by IPS Officers' Wives Association (IPSOWA). He also released a souvenir, Prayas. Munda was accompanied by wife Meera.

Women entrepreneurs from Varanasi, Calcutta, Punjab, Lucknow, Gujarat, Kashmir as well as Jharkhand have put up 103 kiosks at the fair. On sale are diyas, scented candles, bandarwars, clothes, Rajasthani paintings, and eco-friendly flower pots.

The proceeds will go towards the welfare of junior police officers and constables, and providing scholarships for their children.

IPSOWA treasurer Rashmi Sinha said: "The crowd-puller this year is a paanwala, who has been especially flown in from Calcutta."

Ranchi homemaker Kalpana Sharma is also making brisk business with an array of terracotta diyas, candles, lamp shades and decorative pots. "It's my hobby to make these items. This was the best opportunity to display my products in time for Diwali," she said.

"Grabbing eye balls is the food stalls. Even our famous sweet peda of Deoghar are being made on the spot," Sinha added. Echoing her was IPSOWA member Rimi Bhatia. "We have around 15 food stalls selling favourite snacks like mutton cutlet and biryani," she said.

Prema Pathak from Calcutta has eco friendly flowerpots, table lamps, containers made of jute materials at her stall. The prices start from Rs 40 and goes up to Rs 700.

"My first association with IPSOWA in Ranchi was in 2007 and the response was very encouraging, as I had won the best stall category. My products are also recognised by the forest department of West Bengal," said Pathak.

Apart from quizzes, the footfall will increase because of cultural programmes which are scheduled along with Hasya kavi sammelan.

Present on the occasion was also the president of IPSOWA Pamela Rath along with the other members. All of them admitted that every year this fair has been a great success. Even the visitors appreciated the initiative for organising Diwali fair, " We get an opportunity to pick up designer diyas, candles, decorative artefacts in this fair, which otherwise is not found in the city shops," said a visitor, Mohini Sinha.