In a grand and vibrant ceremony held today at the Town Club Complex, PWD Road, Silchar, the ASOMI Rural Mart Cachar was officially inaugurated. The mart is an initiative of the Assam State Rural Livelihoods Mission (ASRLM), supported by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).
The event was marked by the presence of distinguished dignitaries, including the CEO of Cachar Zilla Parishad, Deputy General Manager and District Development Manager from NABARD, Lead District Manager (LDM) Cachar, Project Manager from ASRLM, Director of RSETI Cachar, District Project Manager ASRLM Cachar, among others.
The ASOMI Rural Mart is envisioned as a Display-cum-Sales Center, offering a wide variety of authentic rural products crafted by Self-Help Group (SHG) women from across the region. Products on display include:
•Handloom textiles and traditional handicrafts
•Organic and traditional food products
•Cane and bamboo items
•And various other handcrafted goods reflecting the rich cultural heritage of Assam.
In his address, the CEO of Cachar Zilla Parishad emphasized the importance of such initiatives in providing a sustainable income source for rural women and promoting indigenous crafts. The DGM of NABARD reiterated the organization’s commitment to rural development and its continued support for SHG-led enterprises.
“The ASOMI Rural Mart is more than just a shop – it’s a movement to bring the talents of rural artisans to the forefront and create a bridge between rural creativity and urban markets,” said the District Project Manager of ASRLM Cachar.
The initiative has been met with immense enthusiasm from SHG members, who now have a permanent space to showcase and sell their products. Many expressed happiness and gratitude for the opportunity to reach a broader customer base and gain recognition for their hard work.
With the opening of the ASOMI Rural Mart, citizens of Silchar and nearby areas now have easy access to authentic, organic, and handmade rural products, all under one roof.
This inauguration marks a significant milestone in the mission to empower rural communities, promote sustainable livelihoods, and preserve the cultural richness of Assam.
