Lakhpati Didis Showcase Rural Enterprise, Traditional Crafts and Market Potential at Bharat Tex 2026

Key Highlights:

• The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) participated in Bharat Tex 2026 through its Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM).
• The event showcased the entrepreneurial spirit and traditional crafts of Lakhpati Didis from Self Help Groups (SHGs).
• The pavilion served as a platform for rural women entrepreneurs to engage with buyers and industry representatives.
• Over 3 crore Lakhpati Didis have been created, with a government vision to achieve 6 crore.
• The Saras Shakti Collection, a premium gifting initiative under DAY-NRLM, was a key attraction.

Detailed Insights:

• DAY-NRLM mobilizes rural women into SHGs and provides support for accessing finance, skill development, and market linkages.
• The exhibition facilitated interactions for women entrepreneurs to present products and explore market expansion avenues.
• Diverse handloom and handcrafted products like Pattachitra, Pen Kalamkari, Phulkari embroidery, Eri silk, and Pashmina were displayed.
• The Saras Shakti Collection focuses on quality, design, and market readiness to help women-led enterprises access premium markets.
• This initiative strengthens women-led rural enterprises, preserves India's craft heritage, and connects rural women with national and international markets.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Lakhpati Didi: A rural woman entrepreneur who achieves an annual household income of at least ₹1 lakh.
• Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM): A flagship program by MoRD for poverty alleviation through self-employment and skill development for rural poor.
• Self Help Groups (SHGs): Small, informal associations of people, especially women, who come together to address common problems and improve their socio-economic conditions.