Vidyanagar: Als Mara jackfruit festival organised by the Kudumbasree has managed to draw hundreds of visitors despite the heavy downpour. The organisers had initially planned to conduct the exhibition and sale for two days.

However, the festival ended on the first day itself as the sales went through the roof and all the jackfruit products were sold out. Meanwhile, Amritam Karkidaka kanji (herbal gruel) fest would be held from July 18 to 26. More than 100 products made from jackfruit rind, stalks, core, bulbs, seeds and rags were exhibited at the fest.

District mission coordinator K Ratheeshkumar presided over the proceedings. Meanwhile, deputy collector Lipu S Lawrence, district panchayat member Jasmine Kabeer Cherkalam, CDS chairpersons Ayisha Ibrahim, Mumtaz Aboobaker, Suniths and Suma spoke at the event. 

72 members selected from the 42 CDS’ in the district presented their products at the competition. Bedakam kudumbasree CDS impressed everyone by presenting 80 products made using jackfruit. Bedakam, West Eleri and Kumbala CDS won the first three prizes respectively.