Namma Angadi, exhibition-cum-sale of eco-friendly products begins

Namma Angadi exhibition showcases eco-friendly products supporting local artisans, emphasizing sustainable living and marketing challenges faced by them.

An exhibition-cum-sale of local eco-friendly products began at the Namma Angadi event of Manipal Institute of Communication (MIC) under Manipal Academy of Higher Education in Manipal on Friday.

The exhibition of various sustainable living products, including handcrafted goods, traditional textiles, earthen items etc., would be on till April 13.

Inaugurating the event, Udupi Deputy Commissioner K. Vidyakumari said the MIC’s initiative to support the marketing of products made at Namma Bhoomi, an NGO in Kundapur, was praiseworthy.

She said, “There are a lot of handmade, eco-friendly products made by local people in Udupi. However, they face challenges in marketing them. Self help groups (SHGs) in Udupi come up with many products from pickles to sarees; but they find it difficult to sustain their units due to challenges in marketing.”

The DC said such products could be marketed well through the cooperation of NGOs, students and others. While people were keen to buy such eco-friendly products, product availability at places convenient to them has been the gap to be filled. For future sustainable living, promoting the local and eco-friendly products is important, Ms. Vidyakumari said.

MIC said its students learn the skills of organising an event and getting to know the practical challenges in marketing and communication through Namma Angadi. The initiative was started 22 years ago and this has been a legacy event at MIC campus where PG students show their commitment for its success.

MIC director H.S. Shubha said the event helps postgraduate students to gain experience which was beyond 100 marks and make them remain grounded and realistic. Namma Bhoomi’s Shivananda Shetty, MIC faculty coordinator Akhil Raj and others were present.