Union Minister for Rural Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan will inaugurate the Saras Aajeevika Mela at Noida Haat, Uttar Pradesh, on February 25, 2025. Organised from February 21 to March 10, the event showcases the rich crafts and arts of rural India, with this being its fifth edition. The mela is being held under the Ministry of Rural Development, supported by the National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR), with a focus on tradition, art, culture, and developing the export potential of Lakhpati SHG Didis. Ministers of State for Rural Development Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani and Shri Kamlesh Paswan will also attend the event. The mela features products created by Self Help Groups (SHGs) from 30 states, displayed across 200 stalls, including handloom, handicrafts, and natural food items. Additionally, 25 live food stalls from 20 states offer ethnic cuisines, attracting visitors with a diverse culinary experience. Around 450 SHG members from across the country are participating. The event showcases a wide range of traditional textiles like Andhra Pradesh’s Kalamkari, Assam’s Mekhla Chador, Bihar’s Cotton and Silk, and Odisha’s Tasar and Bandha.Handicrafts, jewelry, and home decor products from various states are also on display, along with natural food items such as tea, coffee, pickles, and jams. The mela offers facilities like a senior citizen area, kids zone, and mother’s care section, alongside daily cultural performances. A dedicated Export Promotion Pavilion has also been set up to enhance the export potential of SHG products. This initiative aligns with the Ministry of Rural Development’s goal to support artisans and promote inclusive growth, contributing to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s Vocal for Local campaign and the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047. (PIB)