SARAS Aajeevika Mela-2026 Begins in Gurugram | 12 Feb 2026

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.