Vijayawada SARAS Mela Generates ₹5 Crore in First Week of Sales

What Happened

The National SARAS Aajeevika Mela 2026, set up at Punnami Ghat in Vijayawada, recorded cumulative sales of ₹5 crore from two lakh products by Tuesday. The fair, which began on October 13 and runs until October 31, showcases handicrafts, handloom fabrics, textiles, traditional foods and other regional specialties made by women’s Self‑Help Groups from across India. On the Vijayadashami day, more than 70,000 visitors came to the stalls, buying 48,370 items and pushing that day’s turnover to ₹1.27 crore. The surge was linked to the large crowd visiting the nearby Sri Kanaka Durga temple atop Indrakeeladri.

Reaction

Organisers said the direct contact between producers and buyers is expected to widen market reach for SHG members and raise their household incomes. A press release highlighted that the platform lets women entrepreneurs display their work without middlemen, potentially creating a steady stream of revenue beyond the fair period. On Monday, the Society for Employment Generation and Enterprise Development in Andhra Pradesh (SEEDAP) ran an awareness programme on rural enterprises and youth skill development. NTR District Job District Manager Nukani Prasanth Kumar Naidu detailed how the Udyam portal can be used for skill training, employment opportunities, enterprise expansion, market access, branding and formal registration, which together help entrepreneurs obtain credit, subsidies and other government benefits.

Context

Fairs like SARAS are a key tool in government schemes aimed at strengthening women‑led cooperatives and boosting rural economies. The Udyam portal is a nationwide online service that registers small businesses and links them to financial support.