Asomi Bhogali (Poush) Mela Ends as a Major Spectacle of Women Entrepreneurship in Silchar

The three-day Asomi Bhogali (Poush) Mela, held in Silchar from January 18 to January 20, 2026, concluded on Tuesday, emerging as a vibrant showcase of women-led entrepreneurship from rural Cachar.

Organised at Ashirwad Bhawan on Raja Gobinda Chandra Marg, the mela featured 30 Self Help Groups (SHGs) from different parts of the district, each operating a dedicated stall. The stalls offered a diverse range of products, including handwoven clothing, rice, fresh vegetables, plants and saplings, as well as traditional food items—drawing steady footfall over the three days.

Speaking to Barak Bulletin, a woman entrepreneur from Dudhpatil shared her experience, saying, “The sales were better than we expected. I managed to sell goods worth nearly Rs. 4,000 over the three days. Since we didn’t have to pay anything for the stall, it was very encouraging for us.”

The annual mela is held around Makar Sankranti under the aegis of the Assam State Rural Livelihood Mission, functioning under the Panchayat and Rural Development Department, Government of Assam. The initiative aims to promote financial independence among rural women by providing them with a platform to directly market their products.