National SARAS Mela 2026: President Droupadi Murmu to Inaugurate First Mela outside Delhi-NCR at Vijayawada from 13-31 October

Key facts

• The Ministry of Rural Development, in collaboration with the Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP), Andhra Pradesh, is organising the first National SARAS Mela 2026 at Punnami Ghat, Vijayawada, from 13 to 31 October 2026, marking the first time the National SARAS Mela is held outside Delhi-NCR.
• Over 1,500 women from Self-Help Groups across 30+ States and Union Territories are participating in the Mela.
• The Mela will be inaugurated by President of India Droupadi Murmu on 15 October 2026 at 11:30 AM.
• Dignitaries attending the inauguration include Andhra Pradesh Governor S. Abdul Nazeer, Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Deputy Chief Minister Konidala Pawan Kalyan, Union Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, and Ministers of State Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, Kamlesh Paswan and Bhupathi Raju Srinivasa Varma.
• The Mela is aligned with the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) and the vision of creating 6 crore Lakhpati Didis by 2029.
• Key attractions include the Lakhpati Didi Pavilion, Knowledge Pavilion, Convergence Pavilion, Demo Pavilion, a 16-foot installation called 'SHAKTI - The Spirit of Lakhpati Didi', and a food court with 50 food stalls.
• The Mela is supported by government partners including NABARD and NIRDPR, and products can also be sold through the eSARAS digital platform.
• The Mela runs alongside the Dasara Sharannavaratri Utsavams and Vijayawada Utsav 2.0.