President Murmu to inaugurate SARAS Mela in Vijayawada on 15 October
Synopsis
President Droupadi Murmu will inaugurate the national SARAS Mela in Vijayawada on 15 October, with over 600 stalls run by rural women SHG members. Her visit also includes prayers at Indrakeeladri and a luncheon with 'Lakhpati Didis' — making it a high-profile endorsement of the Centre's rural women's livelihood push.
Key Takeaways
President Droupadi Murmu will inaugurate the SARAS Mela at Punnami Ghat, Vijayawada on 15 October 2026 .
The mela is co-organised by the Union Ministry of Rural Development and the Government of Andhra Pradesh , featuring over 600 stalls by women self-help groups.
The President arrives at Gannavaram Airport on 14 October at 6:25 pm and will offer prayers at Indrakeeladri before the inauguration.
After the inauguration, she will attend a luncheon with SHG members and Lakhpati Didis .
Sai Prasad has directed officials to follow the minute-by-minute schedule strictly, per the President's Secretariat guidelines.
President Droupadi Murmu will inaugurate the national-level SARAS Mela (Sale of Articles of Rural Artisans Society) at Punnami Ghat in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, on 15 October 2026. The event is being organised jointly by the Union Ministry of Rural Development and the Government of Andhra Pradesh, and will bring together over 600 stalls displaying products crafted by women from self-help groups (SHGs) across the country.
President's Full Itinerary
President Murmu is scheduled to arrive at Gannavaram Airport from Delhi at 6:25 pm on 14 October. She will then travel by road to Indrakeeladri in Vijayawada to offer prayers to Goddess Kanaka Durga between 7:20 pm and 7:40 pm, followed by an overnight stay in the city. The following morning, she will reach Punnami Ghat at 11:30 am to formally open the mela.
After the inauguration, the President will attend a luncheon alongside members of Self-Help Groups and 'Lakhpati Didis' — women entrepreneurs from rural SHGs who have crossed an annual income threshold of ₹1 lakh. She is slated to depart from Gannavaram Airport for Delhi at 2:45 pm on 15 October.
What Is SARAS Mela
SARAS Mela is a flagship national platform designed to provide rural women artisans and SHG members direct market access for their products. Organised under the Ministry of Rural Development's Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), the mela typically draws participation from SHGs across multiple states, spotlighting handicrafts, handlooms, food products, and other rural enterprises. This edition in Vijayawada marks a significant moment for Andhra Pradesh, reinforcing the state's role as a hub for rural women's economic empowerment.
State Preparations Under Way
Chief Secretary G. Sai Prasad on Monday reviewed the arrangements for the presidential visit, chairing a virtual meeting with officials from multiple departments. He directed all departments to adhere strictly to protocol norms and to follow guidelines issued by the President's Secretariat without deviation.
Sai Prasad specifically instructed officials to execute the minute-by-minute schedule punctually, leaving no room for delays. J. Shyamala Rao, Principal Secretary of the State General Administration Department, also participated in the meeting and laid out department-wise requirements for the visit, according to an official release.
Significance for Rural Women's Livelihoods
The Vijayawada edition comes at a time when the Centre has been accelerating its push to scale up the 'Lakhpati Didi' programme, with a stated national target of creating 3 crore Lakhpati Didis. President Murmu's personal participation in the luncheon with SHG members and Lakhpati Didis signals the political salience the government attaches to the initiative. The mela also provides artisans a rare national showcase, connecting rural producers directly with urban consumers and buyers.
All eyes will be on the inauguration ceremony at Punnami Ghat on 15 October, with Andhra Pradesh officials under clear instructions to ensure a seamless visit at every stage.
Point of View
A key NDA ally state, gets a high-profile national endorsement. But the harder question is whether a two-day showcase translates into sustained market linkages for rural artisans, or whether it remains a periodic visibility event. The mela format has existed for years; what rural SHGs arguably need more is year-round procurement tie-ups with organised retail and e-commerce — something a presidential visit, however symbolic, cannot substitute for.
NationPress
12 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SARAS Mela and why is it held?
SARAS Mela (Sale of Articles of Rural Artisans Society) is a national exhibition organised under the Union Ministry of Rural Development to provide women from self-help groups direct market access for their handmade products. It is held in different cities each year to connect rural artisans with buyers and consumers across the country.
When and where will President Murmu inaugurate SARAS Mela in 2026?
President Droupadi Murmu will inaugurate the SARAS Mela at Punnami Ghat in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, on 15 October 2026 at 11:30 am. The event is co-organised by the Union Ministry of Rural Development and the Government of Andhra Pradesh.
How many stalls will be at the Vijayawada SARAS Mela?
The mela will feature more than 600 stalls showcasing products made by women belonging to self-help groups from across India. The stalls will display handicrafts, handlooms, food products, and other rural enterprise goods.
Who are 'Lakhpati Didis' and why are they significant?
'Lakhpati Didis' are women from rural self-help groups who have achieved an annual household income of at least ₹1 lakh through SHG-linked livelihood activities. The Centre has set a national target of creating 3 crore such Lakhpati Didis, making them a centrepiece of rural women's empowerment policy.
What arrangements are being made for the President's visit to Vijayawada?
Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary G. Sai Prasad chaired a virtual review meeting on Monday, directing officials from all departments to strictly follow the President's Secretariat guidelines and execute the minute-by-minute schedule without delays. Principal Secretary J. Shyamala Rao outlined department-wise requirements at the same meeting.
