Pune: Senior leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) party, Sharad Pawar, attended the ongoing Bhimthadi Jatra in Pune and took a keen interest in its various attractions.

Pawar visited several stalls, interacted with vendors, and gathered insights about their products. In a notable gesture, he called Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis from the fair and personally invited him to visit the event.

The Bhimthadi Fair, now in its 18th edition, has been organized with grandeur this year. One of its main attractions is the "Select" section, featuring 31 stalls representing 13 different states across India. These stalls primarily showcase items made by women's self-help groups, reflecting the cultural essence of their regions.

Visitors have been drawn to the handcrafted items from Rajasthan, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Delhi, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, and Kashmir. Pune residents have shown great appreciation for these unique and useful products.

This year, the fair has introduced a "Devrai" section, where approximately 120 species of native trees have been planted. This initiative focuses on promoting biodiversity, generating a rich supply of native seeds, and providing multiple ecological benefits, including oxygen banks, protection for various ecosystems, and enhanced agricultural output. Devrai initiatives also create a safe haven for insects and ants, maintaining the ecological balance.

The Bhimthadi Fair also features stalls by the Shabari Tribal Finance and Development Corporation. These stalls offer a wide range of products created by tribal farmers' producer companies, women's self-help groups, and tribal cooperative organizations from Maharashtra. The fair aims to promote these initiatives and provide a platform for their growth and success.

The Bhimthadi Fair continues to attract large crowds, showcasing the rich diversity and cultural heritage of India through its products and initiatives.