Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla Inaugurates Grameen Bharat Mahotsav Telangana 2026

Hyderabad: The 13th edition of Grameen Bharat Mahotsav – Telangana 2026, organised by NABARD, Telangana Regional Office, was inaugurated today by Shri Shiv Pratap Shukla, Hon’ble Governor of Telangana, in Hyderabad. The eight-day Mahotsav, being held from 07 to 14 October 2026, at Kamma Sangham Hall, Ameerpet, brings together artisans, weavers, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), producer organisations and rural entrepreneurs from across the country, providing them a platform for market access, brand visibility, business opportunities and knowledge exchange.

The Mahotsav has evolved from the ‘Deccan Haat’, which was initiated in Telangana in 2014, and was rechristened ‘Grameen Bharat Mahotsav’ in 2025.

Over the years, it has grown beyond an exhibition-cum-sale into a vibrant platform celebrating rural enterprise, traditional craftsmanship, handlooms, handicrafts and rural innovation. This year’s event features 58 stalls showcasing handlooms, handicrafts, natural products and rural innovations from different parts of India. Live demonstrations of Lac bangle-making and Pottery-making are also being conducted to give visitors an opportunity to experience India’s rich artisanal traditions.

Speaking on the occasion, the Hon’ble Governor emphasised that the handicrafts and handlooms sector is not merely a repository of tradition but an important source of rural employment and livelihoods. He noted that more than 64 lakh artisans and weavers are engaged in the sector across India, with women constituting a significant proportion of the workforce. He highlighted the sector’s economic potential, including the contribution of handlooms to India’s cloth production and the growing exports of Indian handicrafts.

Referring to Telangana’s rich craft and textile heritage, the Hon’ble Governor highlighted Pochampally Ikat, Gadwal, Narayanpet and Gollabhama sarees, Warangal durries, Nirmal crafts, Pembarthi metal craft and Cheriyal paintings, among others. He stressed the need to address challenges such as rising raw material costs, competition from machine-made products, limited market access, branding and digital integration. He appreciated NABARD’s initiatives to strengthen artisan institutions, promote Geographical Indication (GI) products and create market linkages for rural producers.

The Hon’ble Governor also commended NABARD’s support to Rural Enterprise Producer Organisations (REPOs), craft clusters and women-led livelihood initiatives in Telangana. He highlighted the contribution of NABARD-supported REPOs such as Amarchinta Silk Handloom Weavers REPO, Chitrika Handloom REPO, Mollamamba Pottery REPO and Domakonda Pottery REPO, as well as initiatives relating to Mahadevpur Tussar Silk, Rangashaipet Brass, Cheriyal Craft and Pochampally Ikat. He also appreciated efforts towards GI registration of distinctive Telangana products and observed that such initiatives can enhance market value, strengthen rural livelihoods and preserve the State’s cultural and agricultural heritage.

Shri Chinmoy Kumar, Regional Director, Reserve Bank of India, Telangana, appreciated the efforts of NABARD in bringing together rural artisans and weavers from across the country under one roof and providing them immense marketing opportunities and helping them scale up their businesses and preserving their traditional art. He urged the people to visit the Exhibition, buy the unique products and support the traditional arts that are slowly losing inheritance. He also emphasized the importance of MSME Sector in the overall growth of the country’s economy through local earning and foreign exchange.

The programme also witnessed the release of publications relating to rural development and NABARD’s initiatives and the product catalogue.

The event also showcases a special GI Pavilion featuring 36 unique Geographical Indication products from more than 20 States. Through product displays and storyboards, visitors can learn about the history, uniqueness and cultural significance of these products. Workshops and technical sessions are being organised to onboard products onto the ‘Open Network for Digital Commerce’ (ONDC) platform, leveraging GI and post-GI initiatives, digital branding and marketing, and design diversification.

NABARD Telangana has been implementing a wide range of interventions to strengthen the rural enterprise ecosystem. These include support for four REPOs with grant assistance of ₹2.63 crore; promotion of rural enterprise and craft clusters; livelihood and skill development programmes for SHG members and rural youth; support for Rural Marts, Mobile Rural Marts, Rural Haats and Gram Dukans; and technology and innovation initiatives through RuTAGe Smart Village Centres and Rural Business Incubation Centres. NABARD has also supported GI initiatives, women-led enterprises and market-linkage interventions aimed at improving income and livelihood opportunities.

The Mahotsav underscores NABARD’s belief that sustainable rural prosperity must extend beyond agriculture and encompass rural enterprises, traditional crafts, handlooms, food processing, women-led enterprises and local innovations. By bringing producers and consumers together, the event seeks to create direct market opportunities and encourage greater recognition of India’s

rural talent.

NABARD has invited the people of Hyderabad to visit the Mahotsav with their families and friends, interact with artisans, witness live demonstrations, participate in knowledge sessions and support rural producers by purchasing authentic handmade products. Every purchase, the organisers said, supports an artisan and a rural family while helping preserve India’s rich cultural heritage. Grameen Bharat Mahotsav – Telangana 2026 will continue in Hyderabad from 07 to 14 October 2026, offering visitors an opportunity to experience the diversity of India’s handlooms, handicrafts, natural products and rural innovations under one roof. Visitors can choose from a variety of options and purchase on the spot.

This will help in connecting the customers with the artisans making these products.

The inaugural ceremony concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Smt.P Ramalakshmi, General Manager, NABARD.