Although the festivities traditionally kick off from the first day of Boishakh, the Jatiya Mohila Sangstha (National Women's Organisation) this year has already organised a 10-day fair at its premises in Siddheshwari that started on April 5.

"We thought this would enable the women entrepreneurs to take part in other upcoming Baishakh fairs later on and invest in those with the profit they make here," said Masuda Hossain, chairperson of the organisation when asked why the fair had begun early.

There are 55 stalls at the fair owned by small-scale women entrepreneurs of low and middle-income groups who have arrived from all over the country.

The women have come from Dhaka, Chittagong, Narayanganj, Sylhet, Jamalpur, Chandpur, Manikganj, Tangail, Faridpur, Sirajganj, Narail, Gaibandha, Panchagar, Bikrampur, Feni, Bogra, Thakurgaon, Rajbari, Gazipur, Barisal, Shariatpur, Munshiganj and Mymensing and belong to the grassroots level of different projects of the organisation.

"There are many items at our stall including bedspreads, cushion cover, greeting cards and handicrafts. But women's wear, especially salwar and kameez are the most sought after. Fatua for men is another attraction," said Purabi Das, a stallholder who has come from Gaibandha.

"Embroidered, block-printed, hand painted, appliqué worked and all other types of saris and kameez have attracted the customers. Whatever the motif, the combination of red and white is a must to wear on Pahela Baishakh," said another stall attendant Benu Ara of Feni.

Apart from attires, food items like pickles, dalmut, nimki were attracting some visitors. However, little ones like Maisha had their eyes firmly fixed on dolls.

"I would buy nothing else," said the five-year-old while looking at a doll wrapped in a red sari. The entrepreneurs said that their products have attracted customers because of their quality and low price.

"The total sale amount was 89,000 Taka on the day of the opening. By the third day, it had reached Tk 2,22,000," the chairperson said adding that the stallholders had to pay only Tk 500 for the entire duration of the fair.

Masuda Hossain said that they have encouraged the entrepreneurs from each district to bring something unique. "We directed them to use creativity and give a fresh touch to old items," she said citing the example of terracotta items from Bogra where the medium remained the same, but unconventional designs and colours added a new dimension.

The fair is open to all from 9am to 8pm until the Pahela Baishakh which will be celebrated in April 14.