Bhubaneswar, Jan. 11 -- The Sisir Saras Mela 2026 was inaugurated on Friday at the IDCO Exhibition Ground in Bhubaneswar, marking the start of one of Odisha's flagship exhibitions focused on rural livelihoods, handicrafts and self-help groups. The nine-day event, organised by the Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department of the Odisha government, will continue till January 18.

The mela was formally inaugurated by Odisha Minister for Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Gokulananda Mallik in the presence of public representatives, senior officials and stakeholders associated with rural development and marketing.

The inaugural ceremony was attended by Bhubaneswar MLA Ananta Narayan Jena, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation Mayor Su...