Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), cottage industries, artisans, and both rural and urban women entrepreneurs came together for the Namaste Bharat exhibition at Suntec City to promote a variety of “Made in India” products.
One of the key highlights of the four-day event was the Health and wellness dialogue organised by Tamil Murasu and tabla!, where Nominated Member of Parliament and Family Medicine Specialist Dr Haresh Singaraju and FitMantras Master Vans shared valuable insights on Health facts, lifestyle habits and fitness during the festive period and beyond.
Titled ‘Celebrating Health and Longevity in the Festive Season ’, the dialogue on Oct 23 was moderated by Agalyah Maniam, a social media specialist from Tamil Murasu.
Ms Agalyah shared: ‘We had a wonderful response from the public. Many spectators participated and asked questions. My key takeaway is that celebrating the festivities and caring for our health can go hand in hand. It’s about practising small, consistent and mindful habits. What matters most is the lifestyle choices we make consistently over time.”
Namaste Bharat Exhibition Supports Artisans and Cultural Exchange
This year’s Namaste Bharat exhibition featured more than 150 vendors presenting an array of offerings, including art, cultural traditions, authentic cuisines, haute couture, and organic handicrafts.
Organised by event management company DeIdeaz since 2013, the exhibition, which ran from Oct 22 to 25, has grown into a major cultural fixture.
“Namaste Bharat is not just an event; it is an emotion,” said Ms Poornima Kamath, founder of DeIdeaz. “What makes this exhibition truly unique is that many of our exhibitors are rural artisans and weavers. They are direct creators, not middlemen. The sellers are the artisans themselves; visitors are assured of authentic quality and a meaningful experience.”
Among the first-time participants was Ms Ajantha Naik, founder of ‘Vayan Threads of India’.
“Everything on display here is exclusively produced from Rajasthan and Gujarat,” Ms Ajantha said. “These are heritage handwoven textiles, including pure silk, georgette, chiffon, Leheriya, and exquisite modal and Dola silk sarees. No two sarees here are identical; every single piece is unique.”
Shoppers also took the opportunity to prepare for the festive season. Ms Sudha Anand, a resident of Little India who visited the exhibition with her friends, praised the collection and pricing.
“Some of the sarees here are even more affordable than in India, especially given the uniqueness and craftsmanship of the pieces,” said Ms Sudha. “It also makes accessing designer ethnic wear very convenient. That is why my friends and I decided to do our Deepavali shopping here.”
She added that exhibitions of this scale provide a valuable window into Indian culture for Singapore’s multi-ethnic community, while giving grassroots artisans and weavers direct access to international buyers.
In addition to the retail showcase, Namaste Bharat organised a vibrant lineup of cultural programs and interactive sessions ranging from folk performances, Bollywood dance workshops, contemporary fashion displays, luxury lifestyle collections, photography, and live artisan demonstrations.
