National Saras Aajeevika Mela 2026 begins October 15 in Vijayawada

President Droupadi Murmu will inaugurate the National Saras Aajeevika Mela 2026 at Punnami Ghat in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, on October 15. This is the first time a national event of this kind is held outside the Delhi-NCR region.

Event details

The mela is organised by the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM) and the Andhra Pradesh Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP). It features around 1,000 women entrepreneurs and artisans from 34 states and Union Territories, with over 650 stalls showcasing traditional handlooms, handicrafts, organic goods, and household products.

During the event, the Lakhpati Didi Compendium and the SARAS Shakti Application will be formally launched in the presence of President Murmu and Union Minister for Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan. A special film highlighting the national objective to create six crore Lakhpati Didis across the country will also be screened.

Activities and pavilions

More than 200 women chefs from 28 states will prepare traditional regional dishes live, using authentic indigenous spices. Delicacies include Litti Chokha, Hyderabadi Dum Biryani, Makke di Roti with Sarson ka Saag, and Van Sundari.

The mela comprises four designated areas: the Lakhpati Didi Pavilion, the Knowledge Pavilion, the Convergence Pavilion, and the Live Demonstration Pavilion. Visitors can watch live demonstrations of traditional crafts such as pottery, embroidery, and weaving. Experts from Amazon, Flipkart, NABARD, and leading industry organisations will conduct training sessions for rural women on packaging, branding, and e-commerce.

President Murmu will inspect the stalls, interact with women entrepreneurs, and share a meal with Lakhpati Didis from various states. Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has urged citizens nationwide, including those in Andhra Pradesh, to attend the event in large numbers in support of rural women artisans, bolstering the Vocal for Local and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.

The inaugural ceremony will be attended by Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, the State Governor, and other dignitaries.