‘Mini India’ at Vijayawada as National Saras Mela Moves Out of NCR
Murmu is scheduled to visit stalls, interact with women entrepreneurs and have a meal with Lakhpati Didis representing different states.
Vijayawada:Vijayawada is turning into a ‘mini India’ with over 650 stalls showcasing the products, crafts and culinary traditions of rural women entrepreneurs from across the country at the National Saras Aajeevika Mela 2026.
This is the first time the national-level event is being held outside the Delhi-National Capital Region.
President Droupadi Murmu would inaugurate the mega fair at Punnami Ghat on the banks of the Krishna river on October 15 in the presence of Union rural development minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, governor S Abdul Nazeer, chief minister Chandrababu Naidu, deputy CM Pawan Kalyan and others.
The event is being organised at the initiative of Chouhan to promote women’s empowerment and rural entrepreneurship and decentralise national-level programmes by taking them beyond the national capital region.
Describing the fair as more than a commercial exhibition, Chouhan said it would celebrate the self-reliance, skills and entrepreneurial spirit of women from remote villages. The event is being organised by the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission in collaboration with AP’s Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty.
Around 1,000 women entrepreneurs and artisans from 34 states and UTs are participating in the fair. More than 650 stalls will showcase traditional handlooms, handicrafts, organic products and household goods, offering visitors an opportunity to explore India’s diverse rural products under one roof.
A major highlight will be the launch of the ‘Lakhpati Didi Sankalan’ and the ‘Saras Shakti’ application. A special film would also highlight the national target of creating six crore Lakhpati Didis, women from self-help groups who earn at least `1 lakh annually.
The ‘India Food Court’ will feature over 200 women chefs from 28 states preparing regional delicacies using authentic local ingredients. Visitors can savour dishes such as litti chokha, Hyderabadi dum biryani and makki di roti with sarson ka saag, alongside other traditional specialities.
Themed pavilions dedicated to Lakhpati Didis, knowledge-sharing, convergence and live demonstrations will provide visitors with insights into rural entrepreneurship. Artisans will demonstrate pottery, embroidery, weaving and other crafts.
Experts from Amazon, Flipkart, NABARD and leading industry organisations would train women entrepreneurs in packaging, branding and e-commerce, helping them expand their market reach.
Murmu is scheduled to visit stalls, interact with women entrepreneurs and have a meal with Lakhpati Didis representing different states.
