Vijayawada: President Droupadi Murmu and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday attended the National SARAS Mela, 2026 at Punnami Ghat in Vijayawada. The event is aimed at promoting products made by women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and providing them with national and international recognition.
The 14-day event, being held from October 15 to 31, was inaugurated by the President and the CM. The Sale of Articles of Rural Artisans Society (SARAS) Mela, organised jointly by the Union Ministry of Rural Development and the Andhra Pradesh government, provides a platform for rural artisans and women SHGs to showcase and market their products.
Around 650 stalls have been set up at the venue to exhibit products manufactured by women associated with Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas (DWCRA) groups. They would display handicrafts, handloom products and other goods made by SHG women from across the country.
The Andhra Pradesh government is providing marketing facilities for products made by DWCRA women under the ‘Swayam AP’ brand to expand their market reach. The national level event has so far been held only in Delhi, and is being organised in Andhra Pradesh for the first time.
SARAS Aajeevika Melas are flagship events under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), providing a national platform to rural SHGs and artisans.
The initiative aims to strengthen the rural economy by giving women direct access to urban consumers, widening their markets and raising their incomes. It also promotes ‘Vocal for Local’ and Atmanirbhar Bharat and supports capacity building in packaging, branding and marketing. Earlier on Wednesday, Murmu visited the Kanaka Durga temple atop Indrakeeladri in Vijayawada and offered prayers.
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