SARAS Mela Showcases Products of 200 Women Artisans from 17 States

By: Women Entrepreneurs Review Team | Wednesday, 4 November 2026

The 10-day edition of SARAS Mela concluded in Srinagar Polo View Park (Polo Ground), emphasizing the importance of women's Self-Help Groups (SHG) to preserve Indian traditional crafts, fostering rural entrepreneurship. This year, artisans belonging to various parts of the country gathered to celebrate the diversity of Indian culture, while providing an opportunity for female entrepreneurs to showcase their goods.

Over 200 women artisans from villages across the country attended the exhibition. They displayed their products at 80 stalls that had been set up with assistance from the Jammu and Kashmir Rural Livelihoods Mission (JKRLM). Women members from 17 states and Union Territories belonging to the self-help groups took charge of the stall management to present items from the various handicraft, handloom and natural food industries in India.

Key Highlights:

• SARAS Mela 2025 brought together 200+ rural women artisans across 17 states and UTs
• Rajasthan won the best sales award, while Srinagar topped the best food category
• JKRLM recognised SHG members for promoting rural products and women's entrepreneurship

The fair, organized from October 25 onwards, showcased a wide range of handicrafts, cuisine, textiles, and local foods. The mela acted as a platform where rural women had the chance to exhibit their skills, network with people, and promote their goods that were produced through their self-help group initiatives.

Some of the products displayed included Sozni and Aari embroidery on the fabrics of Jammu and Kashmir, handloom items from Kutch (Gujarat), Phulkari suits from Punjab and pickles from Lakshadweep. Other products on display included Pochampally Ikat fabrics from Telangana, textiles from Sambalpur (Odisha) and Kantha embroidery from West Bengal.

This common platform served to emphasize the business potential of the traditional art forms and the contribution made by rural women to the survival of India’s artisan economy. It gave the SHGs taking part in it a chance to increase their market base outside their villages.

The successful completion of the SARAS Mela 2025 was appreciated by Dr Shubhra Sharma, Mission Director of the JKRLM Mission. Addressing the gathering, Dr Shubhra pointed out some of the positive aspects of the mela such as the sales created by the women entrepreneurs, the participation of delegates from various states and UTs, and the concerted efforts of the people for organizing the Mela.

Gratitude was extended by Dr Shubhra to the concerned line departments for their cooperation and assistance for making the Mela successful. Most importantly media’s role was also appreciated to bring forth the efforts of rural women entrepreneurs in front of the nation through responsible media coverage.

An award ceremony felieciatting the SHG members for their services ended the 10-day festival. Participants were given certificates, whereas prizes were given on various categories. Rajasthan came first in sales category, while the best food category prize was given to Srinagar district. The award ceremony was graced by Additional Mission Director JKRLM Syed Naseer Ahmad, State Project Manager JKRLM, and others from the Mission office.