CM Naidu to Open 13-Day National-Level SARAS–2026 Exhibition Tomorrow
Ministry of Rural Development is organising the festival as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
Vijayawada: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu will inaugurate SARAS–2026, a 13-day national-level exhibition aimed at women’s economic empowerment, on January 8 at 4 p.m. in Guntur.
Ministry of Rural Development is organising the festival as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
Briefing media about the festival, Union minister of state for Rural Development Dr Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar said the national SARAS Mela will run till January 18, bringing together women’s self-help groups (SHGs) from across the country and providing them a national platform to showcase their skills, products and entrepreneurial abilities.
SARAS–2026 will be a vital platform for DWCRA women from Andhra Pradesh and local SHGs to understand national and global quality standards, explore new product lines, and adopt modern marketing strategies to strengthen and scale up their livelihoods.
Dr. Pemmasani said as a national-level event, SARAS–2026 will feature around 300 women artisans and entrepreneurs from 21 states and union territories, giving them valuable exposure and direct access to wider markets.
The exhibition will showcase India’s rich cultural and craft diversity through a wide range of authentic handmade products, including bamboo crafts, handlooms and textiles, such as Pochampally and Gadwal weaves, traditional jewellery, handicrafts, home décor items, jute and other eco-friendly products.
Visitors can savour regional cuisines at the dedicated All-India SHG Food Court, offering delicacies such as Rayalaseema dishes, Madugula Halwa, Bheemili Thandra and Atreyapuram Pootharekulu.
The Union minister said cultural and entertainment programmes would be organised every evening, featuring inter-state, state-level, and district-level performances, along with special attractions for children. Capacity-building and training sessions on key livelihood themes will be conducted for SHG members by expert resource persons.
A special Lakhpati Didi Pavilion will highlight inspiring success stories of women entrepreneurs from the various districts in India.
Participating SHG members are being provided free accommodation, food and transportation to the venue opposite the Reddy College in Adarsh Nagar on the Narasaraopet Road. Entry will be free.
The event is being organised by the Guntur Zilla Samakhya in coordination with the DRDA and SERP.
