SARAS Mela 2026

Taking Rural Women’s Enterprises to National Markets

The National SARAS Mela 2026 is being organised at Punnami Ghat, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, from 13–31 October 2026.

It is the first National SARAS Mela held outside Delhi-NCR, bringing together women entrepreneurs from 34 States and Union Territories.

SARAS Mela

• Organised under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), SARAS Melas connect rural women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs) with consumers, buyers and institutional markets.
• Started in 1999 with around 65 beneficiaries, the platform has expanded to national, state, regional and district levels.
• So far, 117 National SARAS Melas have recorded annual sales exceeding ₹200 crore, while around 50 SARAS events are organised nationally each year.

Key Highlights of Vijayawada SARAS Mela 2026

• Around 1,500 women SHG entrepreneurs and Lakhpati Didis from 34 States and UTs are showcasing products through over 650 stalls.
• Products include handlooms, handicrafts, processed foods, traditional textiles and regional art forms.
• The 16-foot installation “SHAKTI – The Spirit of Lakhpati Didi” symbolises women’s empowerment through entrepreneurship.
• The event promotes Vocal for Local, Atmanirbhar Bharat and the decentralisation of national-level events.

Major Initiatives and Features

1. Lakhpati Didi Pavilion

• Showcases successful women entrepreneurs, including those earning over ₹10 lakh annually and some earning more than ₹1 crore.
• Promotes peer learning and sharing of business models and market strategies.

2. Learning and Knowledge Pavilion

• Conducts workshops and masterclasses on packaging, branding, business proposals, e-commerce and social media marketing.
• Facilitates engagement with institutions and private-sector organisations, including NABARD, FICCI, CII and online marketplaces.

3. Convergence Pavilion

• Connects entrepreneurs with financial institutions, government departments and technical agencies for credit, skills, technology and market support.
• Facilitates access to platforms such as the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) and Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC).

4. Demonstration Pavilion

• Enables live demonstrations of traditional and contemporary crafts, including pottery, needlework and mirror-work embroidery.

5. India Food Court

• Features 50 food stalls and over 200 first-generation women food-service entrepreneurs from more than 28 States and UTs.
• Showcases regional cuisines and creates market opportunities for women-led food businesses.

6. Digital Market Access

• eSARAS and the SARAS Gallery connect SHG products with online consumers beyond physical exhibitions.
• A dedicated SARAS Mela Digital App, introduced in 2025, supports nominations, attendance and event information.
• UPI payments facilitate convenient and transparent transactions.

Lakhpati Didi Initiative

• A Lakhpati Didi is an SHG member whose household earns at least ₹1 lakh annually on a sustainable basis, assessed over at least four agricultural seasons and/or business cycles.
• The target increased from two crore in 2023 to three crore in the Interim Budget 2024–25, achieving the three-crore milestone by December 2025.
• In February 2026, the government announced an enhanced target of six crore Lakhpati Didis.

Significance

• SARAS Melas strengthen rural livelihoods, preserve traditional crafts, promote women’s financial independence and expand market access.
• By combining physical sales, digital platforms, business training and institutional support, they help rural women transition from subsistence livelihoods to sustainable enterprises.

Reference

PIB