The National Saras Mela in Vijayawada has recorded business transactions worth more than Rs 6 crore in its first 10 days, according to NTR district collector G. Lakshmisha, drawing attention to the scale of women-led enterprise supported through self-help groups across India.
The fair is being held at Punnami Ghat from October 13 to 31 and has brought together more than 1,500 rural women entrepreneurs from different states and Union territories. Around 600 stalls are operating at the venue, with participants selling products ranging from handloom goods and handcrafted jewellery to regional food items.
Lakshmisha said every Lakhpati Didi participating in the fair could point to a success story, reflecting the economic contribution of women-led self-help groups. He said the event was a matter of pride for Andhra Pradesh because the national-level fair, traditionally held in Delhi, was organised outside the national capital for the first time with the support of the Union and state governments.
The collector said the sales recorded in Vijayawada were comparable with those at the Delhi edition. The India Food Court has emerged as one of the main attractions, offering traditional cuisines from across the country. Fifty food stalls are showcasing regional food, giving visitors access to products and culinary traditions from different parts of India.
The fair is also being used to connect women entrepreneurs with potential buyers and institutional customers. Meetings with buyers, companies and public sector undertakings are being organised to support bulk orders and product promotion. Organisers said the platform was intended not only to generate direct sales but also to help participants exchange ideas, build business networks and explore opportunities in global markets.
Saras Mela coordinator Kataria said the Union rural development ministry and Andhra Pradesh’s Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty were jointly organising the event. The venue includes welcome and convergence pavilions, along with training facilities focused on branding, packaging and marketing. Demonstration pavilions are showcasing production techniques used by participating groups.
The event’s support infrastructure includes a health desk, a mother-care room and a children’s play zone. These facilities have been arranged alongside the commercial stalls and food court, allowing participating entrepreneurs and visitors to spend longer periods at the venue.
Among the participants, Assam’s Barnali Pathak is showcasing handloom products, while Telangana’s Radhika is displaying handcrafted jewellery. Both said the fair had provided an important platform to promote their products and thanked visitors for their support. Lakshmisha, DRDA project director A.N.V. Nanchar Rao and other officials later attended cultural programmes at the venue. The fair will continue at Punnami Ghat until October 31.
