Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Monday inaugurated the week-long Zo Fair (Aadhi Bazaar) at Dawrpui Multipurpose Hall in Aizawl.
The fair is jointly organised by the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, and the Cooperation Department, Government of Mizoram.
The fair showcases a wide range of traditional handicraft and indigenous products brought by artisans from various North Eastern States as well as different parts of Mizoram.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the history of the people of the North East had long been preserved through their traditional attire, crafts and indigenous skills even before it was documented in written form. He said the products displayed at the fair reflected centuries of inherited craftsmanship and cultural traditions.
He observed that while modern technology has enabled the mass production of many goods, traditional handcrafted products still require painstaking manual work. These crafts, he said, are an integral part of the identity of the people and serve as a living record of their history and culture. He urged artisans to take pride in their skills and not to undervalue or abandon their traditional craftsmanship. Although these products are made primarily for their own communities, he noted that appreciation and demand from outside are steadily increasing, creating better market opportunities.
The Chief Minister also expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, TRIFED and the concerned departments for their efforts in the conservation and promotion of tribal and forest-based products.
Welcoming participants from outside the State, he invited them to enjoy their stay in Mizoram, interact freely with the local people as members of one family rather than as visitors, and, if possible, explore Aizawl and visit local households to experience the hospitality of the Mizo people.
Prof. Lalnilawma, Minister for Rural Development and Administration, also addressed the gathering. He said the cooperative movement has brought prosperity to many communities across the world and expressed confidence that Mizoram would also achieve similar success. Referring to the recently held Horti Fair at Lammual, he noted that sales worth around Rs 20 lakh were recorded in a single day. He reiterated that achieving the vision of Viksit Mizoram 2047, frequently emphasised by the Chief Minister, requires every village in the State to become self-reliant, and said efforts in that direction have already begun.
The fair features 25 stalls, including 13 stalls from various North Eastern States and 12 stalls from Mizoram. Among them are two Tribal Food Cuisine stalls, while the remaining stalls display handwoven textiles, bamboo products, food items and other natural produce. The fair has been designed to enable direct interaction and trade between producers and buyers without intermediaries. It will remain open throughout the week.
Zo Fair Opens in Aizawl with 25 Stalls, Showcasing North East’s Traditional Crafts and Forest-Based Products
