Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Mar 4: The three-day annual ‘Namma Angadi 2017’ was inaugurated by chief guest Vanita Pai, director of Arts First Federation by lighting the lamp here at School of Communication Manipal on Friday March 3. It will be open for public till March 5.

Customers were accorded a warm welcome and homely treatment at the exhibition. Students welcomed the guests and the customers. The entire campus has been adorned by traditional chappara. The ladies were busy purchasing cotton Calamari garments and their favourite colourful sarees, home décor items, organic products made off with jute, lavancha, lamp, baskets, trays, cocum, natural chappals etc.

Vanitha Pai in her inaugural address said, "Nowadays, Indians are becoming aware of nature and the eco friendly products. Other countries have freedom to sell their private products at public places, but it is not possible in India. In earlier days synthetic materials had high prices, but now cotton fabric has good demand. Nowadays rich people have started wearing cotton garments as fashion. Indigenous products are really expensive. But a good market should be provided for selling these products.

"On this context, exhibition plays an important role in marketing. India is going back to nature, in order to do this, let’s keep our environment lively," added Pai.

Nandini Laxmikanta, director and professor of SOC, Manipal briefed the students’ effort behind organizing this event.

"The students have done this event for a good social cause, not for any gain. Every year the students have come up with more enthusiasm and competitive spirit," she said.

Sharing her experience, Steffy Sequera, PR and media promoter of the event said, "27 students belonging to corporate sector have worked day and night from the last two months for this exhibition. This is a part of their subject, as they are students of event management. They had participated in a skill training workshop like pottery making, jute product by experts, which was organized recently. Moreover, the team provides idea for Namma Angadi to prepare garments on keeping the interest of modernity in the minds. They have promoted event through social media, broadcast media, and advertisement on flexes. The entire experience has been wonderful and I am happy to be a part of this event."

According to Steffy, "These students will prepare a report on this event and submit them to HOD. On that basis, they will be given grades.

"This time around, they have tried to bring out more products to showcase and provide A/C room and extra trial rooms for the conveniences of customers. The traditional chappara is an attractive thing," she added.

Interacting with Daijiworld team, Padmakumar K, HOD of Corporate Communication, SOC said, "As this programme is a part of academic study, students will get practical ideas about event management. It will stimulate students to do something for the society. Sustainable development is important here. Last year the Namma Angadi collected Rs 18 lacs in just three days, but this year we are trying to cross that bench mark."

Describing the event, Shivanand Shetty of assistant director of Namma Bhoomi said, "This is the 14th edition of Namma Bhoomi exhibition. The event is getting better response each year. This programme provides a platform for self employment for large number of migrants, especially children who have moved to urban areas in search jobs."
More than hundreds of people are working independently on certain fields to make the event a grand success. It was started in 1992 to help village based craftsmen, who could not visualize a future for their occupations in the village market due to lack of market. They used to participate in other school campus to market their products. The amount collected from selling these products will go to administration and transportation expenses. SOC campus provides a larger platform to expose handmade crafts.

Richa Srivastava welcomed the gathering and introduced the guest. Snehadipta Pyne, student of SOC delivered vote of thanks. Bipasha Mukharji compered the programme. Souparnika, lecturer among others was present.

Daijiworld Media is the official media partner of the event.