Vinod Bhat
Vijayawada, 12 October: Vijayawada is set to become a vibrant showcase of India’s rural enterprise and women-led entrepreneurship as the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, in collaboration with the Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP), Andhra Pradesh, brings the first National SARAS Mela 2026 to the city.
Scheduled from 13 to 31 October 2026 at Punnami Ghat, Vijayawada, the Mela will bring together 1500+ women from Self-Help Groups across 30+ States and Union Territories, creating a platform where rural enterprises, traditional crafts, regional cuisines and entrepreneurial stories come together. The event will be inaugurated by the Hon’ble President of India, H.E Smt. Droupadi Murmu.
Aligned with the Government of India’s Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) and the Prime Minister’s vision of creating 6 crore Lakhpati Didis by 2029, the Mela, along with SARAS Aajeevika Gallery and the eSARAS digital platform, provides women entrepreneurs with opportunities to showcase their traditional crafts, access wider markets and connect with consumers across India and beyond. These initiatives help women from rural areas to transform their skills into sustainable enterprises, strengthen their incomes and achieve financial independence.
The National SARAS Mela begins on 13th October with a formal inauguration on 15th October at 11:30 AM and takes place alongside the Dasara Sharannavaratri Utsavams and Vijayawada Utsav 2.0.
Visitors can look forward to regional artistry including Phulkari from Punjab, Pashmina from Jammu & Kashmir, Ikat and Telia textiles from Telangana, and Paunchei from Mizoram, alongside intricate handicrafts such as Meenakari, Dokra, brasswork, woodcraft, traditional paintings, alongside regional delicacies and home-style cuisines from across the country. The Mela works as a marketplace where women from Self-Help groups sell directly to customers, build buyer connections and take their products to wider markets, including through the eSARAS platform.
A significant focus of the Mela will be the Lakhpati Didi Pavilion, which will bring alive the journey of women moving from skills and collective participation towards enterprise, market access, sustainable income supported by institutions to enable socio-economic empowerment. The pavilion will also allow visitors to hear directly from the women behind these journeys.
The collaboration also extends beyond showcasing products. Through the Knowledge Pavilion, participating women will interact with corporates, industry experts and organisations in areas including branding, marketing, packaging, business development and market expansion. The Convergence Pavilion will further connect women with relevant government departments, ministries and institutions supporting the growth of their enterprises.
Visitors can experience live craft demonstrations at the Demo Pavilion, watching handlooms being woven and handicrafts taking shape before their eyes, discover regional cuisines and enjoy cultural programmes celebrating the strength and entrepreneurial spirit of rural India. Standing tall at National SARAS Mela 2026, will be a 16-foot signature installation, called “SHAKTI – The Spirit of Lakhpati Didi” symbolising the collective power of millions of women who are preserving India’s rich craftsmanship while transforming their skills into livelihoods, independence and prosperity. This first National SARAS Mela is supported by various government partners including NABARD and NIRDPR. The food court will bring together delicacies across the country through 50 food stalls.
At its heart, the National SARAS Mela is about the women behind every product, craft and enterprise, and the journey from skill to enterprise, enterprise to market, and market to sustainable livelihood.
