SARAS Mela 2026 Showcases Rural Entrepreneurs in Dimapur

By: Women Entrepreneurs Review Team | Friday, 13 November 2026

The SARAS Mela 2026, described as “The Biggest Rural Fair,” commenced at DDSC Stadium in Dimapur on November 11. The event brings together Self-Help Group (SHG) members, rural entrepreneurs and artisans from Nagaland and four participating states—Manipur, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Karnataka—to showcase local products, encourage entrepreneurship and support rural livelihoods.

Organised by the Nagaland State Rural Livelihoods Mission (NSRLM) under the Directorate of Rural Development, Government of Nagaland, the six-day event will run until November 16, 2026. Commissioner and Secretary of Rural Development, Thavaseelan K, IAS, inaugurated the fair.

Open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., the mela features skill-development workshops, entrepreneurship sessions, financial inclusion activities and interactive programs. These initiatives aim to strengthen the business skills of SHG members and rural entrepreneurs, provide practical knowledge and improve their access to markets.

Key Highlights:

• SARAS Mela 2026 brings together SHGs, rural entrepreneurs and artisans from Nagaland and four other states to showcase local products
• The fair features skill-development workshops, financial inclusion activities and a Buyers-Sellers Meet to improve business and market linkages
• Exhibitions, cultural attractions, food festivals and social media contests are among the major activities for visitors

The project is to raise awareness of, and provide access to, financial services to the rural entrepreneurs as well as to the members of the SHGs to enhance their economic activities. A Buyers-Sellers Meet is also being organized during the fair to bring the producers and prospective buyers together, encourage networking of businesses and enhance market linkages.

Apart from the exhibitions and workshops, the mela has numerous attractions to offer the visitors like digital art and live caricature by Wandering Minds (November 11 to 18, from 11 AM to 9 PM).

The SARAS Song Dedication Booth, instant photo booth, SARAS photo booth and the food festival, which have various ethnic Naga dishes and popular fast food awaited for the visitors, the children play area and the carnival games were other attractions. Four automobile companies Maruti Suzuki, Isuzu, Hyundai and Mahindra are showcasing and giving visitors an opportunity to explore the latest in automobile models and offerings.

In addition, a SARAS Social Media Photo Contest is also underway which could provide an opportunity for the participants to win a gift hamper worth Rs. 3,000. Participants need to go to the mela, take a creative picture, follow the three official Instagram pages and post the picture, tagging the Instagram accounts.

The person whose picture has the most "likes" will be declared the winner. The competition will be open until November 17 at 12 noon. The mela also facilitates a linkage between SHGs and rural entrepreneurs with institutions, financial services and market opportunities by bringing together various Government Departments, Institutions and convergence partners.