Women Promote Eco-Friendly Jute Bags at International Gita Mahotsav, Draw Strong Response from Visitors

Chandigarh, December 2 — The International Gita Mahotsav in Kurukshetra continues to attract huge crowds as artists showcase their craft and tourists arrive in record numbers. Adding to the festival’s vibrant atmosphere, women’s self-help groups are promoting a plastic-free Haryana by offering jute bags made entirely without synthetic materials.

Members of the Jai Ambe Self-Help Group reached the festival with a range of handmade jute bags. Rekha, from Kheri Marankda village, said her group has set up stall number 842 on the northwest side of Brahmasarovar, where they are displaying different varieties of jute bags for visitors. She said their team is urging tourists to avoid polythene and switch to eco-friendly alternatives. The bags, crafted using woolen threads and natural materials, contain no plastic at all.

Rekha added that several women work together in the group, which not only supports the plastic-free Haryana campaign but also generates livelihood opportunities for rural women. Their message to visitors emphasizes environmental protection as well as the importance of a clean India. The bags are priced between ₹100 and ₹500, making them affordable for festival-goers.

She shared that the group has been participating in the Gita Mahotsav for several years. The government has provided free training for producing jute-based products and has also facilitated low-interest bank loans to help the women expand their work.