Stories
National SARAS Mela 2026 Opens in Vijayawada Empowering Women Entrepreneurs
- •The first National SARAS Mela outside Delhi-NCR is being held at Punnami Ghat in Vijayawada from October 13 to 31, 2026.
- •President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the event, which brings together over 1,500 women entrepreneurs from Self-Help Groups across 34 states and Union Territories.
- •More than 650 stalls feature handlooms, handicrafts, processed foods, and rural products to help women expand beyond local markets.
- •The event supports the Lakhpati Didi initiative, featuring a dedicated pavilion highlighting successful women entrepreneurs and business models.
- •Additional attractions include the Learning and Knowledge Pavilion, Convergence Pavilion, India Food Court, and integration with the eSARAS portal for digital commerce.
Key Questions Answered
The 2026 National SARAS Mela in Vijayawada marks the very first time this national-level event is being organized outside the Delhi-NCR region. Held at Punnami Ghat from October 13 to 31, it brings together over 1,500 women entrepreneurs from Self-Help Groups across 34 states and Union Territories to showcase traditional crafts and expand into new markets.
The event is organized under the Centre’s Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). It supports the Lakhpati Didi initiative, which helps SHG women achieve sustainable annual household incomes of at least Rs 1 lakh, with an enhanced national target of creating six crore Lakhpati Didis.
The mela features a dedicated Lakhpati Didi Pavilion highlighting successful entrepreneurs, a Learning and Knowledge Pavilion offering sessions on digital marketing and branding, and a Convergence Pavilion connecting participants with financial institutions. Additionally, customers can use the eSARAS portal and digital payments to purchase products beyond physical events.
