Journeys of Lakhpati Didis Building Crore-Rupee Enterprises at National SARAS Mela 2026

Key Highlights:

• The National SARAS Mela showcases the transformative journeys of Lakhpati Didis towards financial independence and entrepreneurship.
• Organized by the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, with support from NABARD, NIRDPR, and Kudumbashree.
• The Mela highlights women entrepreneurs achieving annual turnovers ranging from ₹60 lakh to over ₹1 crore.
• The Lakhpati Didi initiative aims for 6 crore such women by 2029, as envisioned by the Prime Minister.
• The First National SARAS Mela is being held at Punnami Ghat, Vijayawada, continuing until October 31, 2026.

Detailed Insights:

• The National SARAS Mela serves as a crucial platform for rural women to exhibit traditional crafts and entrepreneurial ventures.
• The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) provides skills, finance, and market access to help women achieve the Lakhpati Didi milestone.
• President Droupadi Murmu encouraged further enterprise growth and emphasized women's control over income and assets as a measure of empowerment.
• Success stories include women in woodcarving, ethnic wear, ragi processing through Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), and cashew processing.
• Support mechanisms like Self-Help Groups (SHGs), FPOs, and schemes like the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) facilitate these entrepreneurial journeys.
• SARAS Melas are planned to be organized annually in different states to provide continuous market access and opportunities for rural women.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Lakhpati Didi: A woman from an SHG household with a sustainable annual household income of at least ₹1 lakh.
• Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM): A flagship program for poverty alleviation through promotion of sustainable livelihoods and financial inclusion for the rural poor.
• Self-Help Group (SHG): A small voluntary association of poor people who come together for mutual help and collective action.
• Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO): A legal entity formed by farmers to collectively manage their produce, access markets, and improve their bargaining power.
• Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP): A credit-linked subsidy scheme for setting up new micro-enterprises in non-farm sectors.