President Murmu inaugurates SARAS Mela 2026 in Vijayawada today
Synopsis
President Droupadi Murmu personally inaugurated the SARAS Mela 2026 in Vijayawada, putting a presidential stamp on the Centre's rural women empowerment agenda. With over 600 stalls and a luncheon with Lakhpati Didis, the event signals how prominently women-led self-help group enterprise now features in national policy optics.
Key Takeaways
President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the national-level SARAS Mela at Punnami Ghat, Vijayawada on Thursday, 15 October 2026 .
The mela features more than 600 stalls showcasing products made by women from self-help groups across India.
President Murmu attended a luncheon with Self-Help Group members and Lakhpati Didis after the inauguration.
The event is jointly organised by the Union Ministry of Rural Development and the Andhra Pradesh government .
On Wednesday night , President Murmu offered prayers at the Kanaka Durga Temple at Indrakeeladri .
President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday, 15 October 2026, inaugurated the national-level SARAS Mela (Sale of Articles of Rural Artisans Society) at Punnami Ghat in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. The event, co-organised by the Union Ministry of Rural Development and the Andhra Pradesh government, brings together women entrepreneurs from self-help groups across the country under one roof.
Scale of the Event
This year's SARAS Mela features more than 600 stalls displaying products crafted by women belonging to self-help groups from states across India. The fair serves as a national showcase for rural artisans, giving them direct market access and visibility beyond their local communities.
President's Engagement with Self-Help Groups
Following the inauguration, President Murmu attended a luncheon with members of Self-Help Groups and 'Lakhpati Didis' — women entrepreneurs who have achieved an annual income of at least ₹1 lakh through SHG-linked livelihood initiatives. The interaction underscores the Centre's emphasis on women-led rural economic empowerment as a policy priority.
Arrival and Official Reception
President Murmu arrived at Gannavaram Airport from New Delhi by special aircraft on Wednesday evening. She was received by Governor S. Abdul Nazeer, Union Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, Minister of State for Rural Development Kamlesh Paswan, State Minister for Mines, Geology, and Excise Kollu Ravindra, Andhra Pradesh Home and Disaster Management Minister Vangalapudi Anitha, Chief Secretary G. Sai Prasad, State Director General of Police Harish Kumar Gupta, Krishna District Collector D.K. Balaji, and District Superintendent of Police V. Vidya Sagar Naidu.
Prayers at Kanaka Durga Temple
On the eve of the inauguration, President Murmu travelled to Indrakeeladri and offered prayers at the famed Kanaka Durga Temple on Wednesday night. Temple priests performed rituals, rendered Veda Ashirvachanam, and presented her with silk sarees, a shawl, and a portrait of the Goddess. She was welcomed at Indrakeeladri by Home Minister V. Anitha, MP Kesineni Chinni, temple chairman Radhakrishna, Executive Officer Sheena Naik, and other temple officials. The President greeted devotees standing in queues with folded hands before proceeding to the sanctum sanctorum.
What This Signals
The SARAS Mela has grown into a key platform for rural women's economic inclusion, and a presidential inauguration elevates its visibility considerably. This visit to Vijayawada reflects the continuing national spotlight on Andhra Pradesh as a partner in rural development programming, and the broader push to scale up the Lakhpati Didi initiative ahead of its stated national targets.
Point of View
In particular, has been pitched as a flagship outcome metric, and pairing the President with SHG beneficiaries in Vijayawada creates compelling optics ahead of any state or national electoral cycle. What is less clear is whether the mela translates into sustained market linkages for rural artisans, or remains a periodic showcase event. Tracking how many of the 600-plus stall participants convert participation into lasting income gains would be the real measure of the initiative's depth.
NationPress
15 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the SARAS Mela and where is the 2026 edition being held?
The SARAS Mela — full name Sale of Articles of Rural Artisans Society — is a national fair jointly organised by the Union Ministry of Rural Development and state governments to showcase products made by women in self-help groups. The 2026 edition is being held at Punnami Ghat in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, inaugurated by President Droupadi Murmu on 15 October 2026.
How many stalls are at the SARAS Mela 2026 in Vijayawada?
The SARAS Mela 2026 features more than 600 stalls displaying products crafted by women belonging to self-help groups from across India.
Who are the Lakhpati Didis that President Murmu met at the event?
Lakhpati Didis are women entrepreneurs linked to self-help groups who have achieved an annual income of at least ₹1 lakh through SHG-backed livelihood programmes. President Murmu attended a luncheon with SHG members and Lakhpati Didis after inaugurating the mela.
Which temple did President Murmu visit during her Vijayawada trip?
President Murmu visited the Kanaka Durga Temple at Indrakeeladri on Wednesday night, where priests performed rituals, rendered Veda Ashirvachanam, and presented her with silk sarees, a shawl, and a portrait of the Goddess.
Who received President Murmu upon her arrival in Vijayawada?
President Murmu was received at Gannavaram Airport by Governor S. Abdul Nazeer, Union Ministers Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar and Kamlesh Paswan, Andhra Pradesh ministers, Chief Secretary G. Sai Prasad, DGP Harish Kumar Gupta, and other senior officials.
