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Vijayawada's Maiden National SARAS Mela Draws Massive Public Response
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News18•17-10-2026, 22:15
Vijayawada's Maiden National SARAS Mela Draws Massive Public Response
- •The first national SARAS Mela in Vijayawada is witnessing an overwhelming public response, according to NIRD additional director Sudheer Kumar.
- •Organized under the Union Ministry of Rural Development and SERP, the event provides a national marketing platform for women self-help groups.
- •Around 600 stalls feature handloom products, handicrafts, natural food products, and traditional cuisines from across 32 states and Union Territories.
- •Special pavilions like the Convergence Pavilion and Lakhpati Didi Pavilion offer information on government schemes and highlight success stories.
- •Training sessions on branding, packaging, and export marketing are conducted to help women entrepreneurs build quality brands.
Key Questions Answered
The primary objective of the mela is to provide a national-level marketing platform for products created by women members of self-help groups from across the country and to encourage women entrepreneurs.
The 14-day event was jointly inaugurated by President Droupadi Murmu and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.
Special training sessions are conducted at the Meet and Greet Pavilion by experts from NIRDPR and national specialists to help women SHG members develop their goods into quality brands, focusing on branding, packaging, export marketing, and value chain management.
