Haryana
SARAS Aajeevika Mela-2026 Begins in Gurugram
- 12 Feb 2026
- 2 min read
Why in News?
The ‘SARAS Aajeevika Mela-2026’ is a grand fair promoting rural crafts and women’s empowerment that commenced in February 2026 in Gurugram.
Key Points:
- Inauguration: The fair was inaugurated by Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister of Rural Development and Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare.
- Over 900 women entrepreneurs from 28 states affiliated with various self-help groups (SHGs) are participating in the fair.
- Stalls and Exhibits: More than 450 stalls display a variety of regional crafts such as Kashmir Pashmina, Tamil Nadu silk, Rajasthan embroidery, and Assam bamboo crafts, offering a “Mini India” experience under one roof.
- Workshops: Special workshops are being organized daily under the Knowledge Pavilion.
- Teaching women entrepreneurs skills in packaging, branding, business proposal preparation, and social media marketing.
- Market Access: Sessions on logistics and transport are being held to help rural producers expand their reach in domestic and global markets.
- Impact on SHGs: About 10 crore women are organized under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihood Mission; nearly 2.9 crore Lakhpati Didis are already created towards the target of 3 crore.
- Empowerment: Self-Help Groups have shown improved financial discipline, with Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) below 2%, demonstrating stronger credit management and repayment behaviour among rural women entrepreneurs.
| Read More: Women empowerment, SHGs, Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihood Mission, Lakhpati Didis |
