For a rural artisan from the remote villages of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Meghalaya, or any other state, there could not be a better way to celebrate their art and craftsmanship than by having the opportunity to sell their products and contribute to the local economy. This journey is not just about showcasing their skills but also about earning their place under the sun as entrepreneurs, paving the way for start-ups that can access wider domestic and global markets for their rich traditional handlooms, handicrafts, embroidery, and other forms of art. From being simple rural artisans to emerging as entrepreneurs, these women are now spearheading economic and social change, a transformation made possible through the conceptualisation of the Sale of Articles of Rural Artisans Society, popularly known as the SARAS Mela. This event has become synonymous with women’s empowerment and the rural economy.
This year, the Arunachal State Rural Livelihoods Mission (ArSRLM) has taken the initiative to organise the Arunachal SARAS Mela, which began on January 13 and will continue until January 22 at the DK Convention Centre in Itanagar. Part of a nationwide initiative, the event provides a unique platform for rural artisans and self-help groups (SHGs) across India to showcase and sell their products. The Arunachal SARAS Mela stands out as a vibrant display of cultural heritage and sustainable livelihoods. The stalls beautifully exhibit products from various districts of the state, encompassing handlooms, rich traditions, and organic produce from villages. It is a testament to the significant contributions that rural communities, particularly women, can make to the economy when provided with the right opportunities.
For many local artisans, the fair is “a celebration of rural traditional craftsmanship.” Indeed, it offers a vital stage for rural women artisans to connect with national and global markets, blending traditional practices with modern opportunities. The Arunachal chapter of this event has been a resounding success, with Chief Minister Pema Khandu remarking, “India will develop when the North East develops. The North East will develop when Arunachal develops. Arunachal will develop when its villages develop, and villages will develop when their women develop. It starts in the village.” During the first four days alone, total sales reached an impressive Rs. 40 lakhs, underscoring the growing demand for rural products in urban markets.
Chief Minister Khandu inaugurated the 10-day SARAS fair alongside state dignitaries and handed over Rs. 3 crore in seed money to women-led SHGs. This initiative empowers local entrepreneurs and rural artisans engaged in handloom, knitting, weaving, crochet, handicrafts, and embroidery under the ArSRLM cluster initiative. The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has also pledged its continued support for the development of the rural economy in Arunachal Pradesh. For many women artisans, such initiatives create income-generating opportunities while preserving and promoting traditional arts and crafts. These efforts also integrate traditional skills with contemporary markets, fostering a balance between heritage and innovation.
The state government has further bolstered the rural economy by establishing strong local markets and signing agreements with the Indian Army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) to supply produce from Arunachal’s farms. These partnerships guarantee reliable buyers and ensure a consistent income for rural households. Such efforts have transformed the SARAS Mela into a powerful platform for rural artisans, particularly women, providing them with direct access to markets and strengthening the rural economy. Empowering women economically and socially remains a cornerstone of this thoughtfully designed event.
The Arunachal SARAS Mela actively promotes initiatives such as “Vocal for Local” and “Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” amplifying indigenous products while supporting sustainable livelihoods. At the heart of these initiatives are the SHGs, which play a pivotal role in empowering women artisans. Chief Minister Khandu highlighted that, despite the state’s challenging terrain, SHGs and federations have collectively managed a Rs. 300 crore corpus, an extraordinary achievement. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to empowering SHGs by providing access to training, credit, and market linkages.
Beyond product sales, the Mela has served as a platform for Arunachal’s talented youth to showcase their skills in dancing, singing, and flower arranging, adding to the event’s cultural richness. This comprehensive approach underscores the Mela’s role as more than just a marketplace; it is a celebration of the state’s rural heritage and creativity. The fair brims with the resilience and creativity of rural women artisans, highlighting the importance of organising such initiatives annually to ensure ongoing growth and empowerment for rural communities.
The Arunachal SARAS Mela also transcends state boundaries, attracting SHGs from Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Assam, Jammu and Kashmir, and Goa. This blending of diverse cultures and ideas underscores the fair’s role as a unifying platform for rural empowerment across India.
One of the standout features of the event is “Mother’s Kitchen,” a unique initiative supporting 433 catering units managed by over 3,500 SHG members. These women-led units redefine community-led service by operating kitchen stalls at the fair. Additionally, the Mela showcases handloom and handicraft products from nearly 900 artisans involved in cluster-based initiatives and processed goods from 84,000 members engaged in high-value agri-horti-forest products. By bringing together artisans and entrepreneurs from remote regions of Arunachal Pradesh, the event celebrates rural cultural heritage and creativity while empowering women and transforming lives.
The Arunachal SARAS Mela 2025 has once again proven to be a transformative platform, offering rural women artisans valuable opportunities to thrive. It not only strengthens the rural economy but also serves as a vibrant celebration of the resilience, creativity, and cultural heritage of women across the state and beyond.
