Imphal, October 17: Indigenous fish variety of Manipur which have become almost extinction once again adorned the stalls of Self Help Group (SHG) Mela, thanks to some die hard SHG members and concerted effort of the project personnel of National Cooperative Union, Cooperative Education Field Project, Bishnupur.

The mela kicked off from today at the office premises of the project located at Nambol Chingmang exclusively for women SHG promoted by the project of Bishnupur, Imphal West -I and Imphal West - II blocks.

The mela will conclude on October 19.Indigenous fish such as Ngaton, Pengba etc which has become a rare commodity in the market place now adorns the stalls of the mela.

This indigenous fish were locally breed by the SHG members of Meitram Makha Leikai.

Out of 220 SHGs promoted by the project, 20 were selected to participate in the mela.

In the inaugural function held today, Kh Borkeshor, chairman Management Committee ICM, Im phal, Y Meghachandra, senior Manager Manipur Rural Bank and Dr KI Meetei, faculty member ICM Imphal graced the function as chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.

In his speech Borkeshor laid bare the objectives of organising a mela exclusively for SHGs and urged the members to be more professional in their management and function of its group.

He mooted the idea of organising SHG mela at block level, district and State level in near future.

Lauding the project officials for organising such a mela, the chief guest said that the mela is an ideal opportunity for the SHG to expose and promote their products to the people.

In his presidential speech, Y Meghachandra said that the main bane of State economy is consumption of goods produced outside the State which affects the circulation of money.

To put a complete halt to this process consumption of local products such as the goods produced by the SHGs should be consumed which will directly help in improving the economy of rural womenfolk in particular and the state in general.

Handlooms, handicrafts, horticulture products such as squash made of passion fruit, eatables items like papad etc were on display.

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