President Droupadi Murmu to inaugurate National Saras Aajeevika Mela 2026 in Vijayawada on October 15

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

Event details

Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM) and Andhra Pradesh Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP) are organizing this fair. Around 1,000 women entrepreneurs and artisans from 34 states and Union Territories will take part. More than 650 stalls will show traditional handlooms, handicrafts, organic goods, and household products.

President Murmu and Union Minister for Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan will launch Lakhpati Didi Compendium and SARAS Shakti Application during the event. A film showing the country's plan to create six crore Lakhpati Didis will also be played.

Over 200 women chefs from 28 states will cook local dishes live using native spices. Items include Litti Chokha, Hyderabadi Dum Biryani, Makke di Roti-Sarson ka Saag, and Van Sundari. Four zones are planned: Lakhpati Didi Pavilion, Knowledge Pavilion, Convergence Pavilion, and Live Demonstration Pavilion.

Visitors can watch live craft demos like pottery, embroidery, and weaving. Experts from Amazon, Flipkart, NABARD, and top industry groups will train rural women in packaging, branding, and e-commerce.

President Murmu will check the stalls, talk to women entrepreneurs, and eat with Lakhpati Didis from different states. Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan asked people across India, including those in Andhra Pradesh, to attend in large numbers to support rural women artisans. This will help promote Vocal for Local and Atmanirbhar Bharat efforts.

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, State Governor, and other leaders will join the opening ceremony.