Feb 11: Haryana’s cyber city Gurugram is once again set to be immersed in the colours of India’s rural traditions, folk arts, and women entrepreneurship. The grand ‘Saras Aajeevika Mela 2026’ has commenced today at Leisure Valley Park Ground, Sector-29. The national-level fair will be inaugurated by Union Minister for Rural Development and Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Minister of State for Rural Development Dr. Chandrashekhar Pemmasani and Kamlesh Paswan will attend as special guests. The fair will run from 10 February to 26 February and will present a vibrant glimpse of “Mini India.”
This year, over 900 women entrepreneurs from 28 states, associated with various Self-Help Groups, are participating. More than 450 stalls have been set up, showcasing products ranging from Pashmina of Kashmir in the north to silk from Tamil Nadu in the south, embroidery from Rajasthan in the west to bamboo crafts from Assam in the east—all under one roof.
At a press conference during the event, Ms. Swati Sharma, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Rural Development, shared key updates on the progress of Self-Help Groups. She stated that under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihood Mission, around 10 crore women are currently organised nationwide. She also noted that out of the Prime Minister’s target of creating 3 crore Lakhpati Didis, about 2.9 crore had already achieved that milestone by December 2025, with the remaining target expected to be achieved soon.
Highlighting a key financial aspect, Ms. Sharma said that the honesty and economic progress of SHG women have strengthened confidence within the banking sector. She shared that the Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) of SHGs across states have fallen to less than 2%, indicating timely loan repayments and improved financial management by rural women.
During the press conference, several successful women entrepreneurs shared their personal journeys and success stories. Many described how they once had no stable income but, after joining SHGs and benefiting from government schemes, are now not only supporting their families but also providing employment to others. The ‘Lakhpati Didi Pavilion’ at the fair showcases such inspiring stories.
Among those present at the press conference were Ms. Swati Sharma; Dr. Molishree , Director in the Ministry of Rural Development; Chiranjee Lal Kataria, Assistant Director at the National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj; district managers from the National Rural Livelihood Mission and other dignitaries. The fair will continue until 26 February at Leisure Valley Ground (near IFFCO Chowk Metro Station). Entry is completely free, and visitors can attend daily from 11:00 AM to 9:30 PM.
Key Attractions of the Saras Mela
One of the main highlights this year is the ‘Knowledge and Learning Pavilion.’ Beyond product sales, it hosts daily workshops for women entrepreneurs covering packaging, branding, business proposal preparation, and social media marketing.
Special intensive training sessions on logistics and transportation management are also being conducted to help rural women learn cost-effective ways to transport their products to domestic and international markets. Awareness about the ‘e-Saras’ portal is being promoted through tie-ups with e-commerce companies so that sales can continue even after the fair concludes.
The ‘Demo & Live Learning Area’ offers a unique experience for visitors, who can watch artisans at work while purchasing products. Skilled potters shaping clay on the wheel will attract children and youth, while traditional needlework and mirror embroidery will be demonstrated live. Eco-friendly baskets and household items made from natural fibres and bamboo will also be showcased through live demonstrations.
For food lovers, the fair features a large food court with live stalls run by women from different states, offering regional delicacies such as Rajasthan’s dal-baati-churma, Punjab’s makki di roti and sarson da saag, South Indian dosa-idli, and Bengal’s sandesh—prepared using traditional methods and pure spices.
The organisers have ensured visitor comfort with a dedicated Kids Zone featuring art activities and storytelling sessions introducing children to rural culture. Rest areas for women and senior citizens are available across the venue. Evening cultural performances, including folk dance and music by troupes from various states, add to the festive atmosphere.