The Jammu and Kashmir Rural Livelihood Mission (JKRLM) is set to host an expansive edition of the SARAS MELA at Kala Kendra in Jammu, starting today. The fair will conclude on the 9th of February. The 10-day-long Mela will transform Kala Kendra into a vibrant showcase of the country’s rural creativity. The national-level event will bring together rural women entrepreneurs from across the country, offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore India’s rich diversity of crafts, colours, culture, and traditions-all under one roof.
Akashvani’s correspondent reports that the Saras Mela will open doors for rural women to dream bigger, showcase their creativity, connect with buyers and turn their skills into lasting opportunities that can uplift entire communities. This grand Mela draws women from Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in J&K and across other states into one shared space. It provides rural women with a platform to display their products and interact with urban consumers and also exposes SHG members to modern branding and packaging, giving them insights into customer preferences and a rare experience of a larger marketplace.
The event aims to strengthen women’s empowerment and rural livelihoods by directly connecting producers with consumers, fostering self-reliance, entrepreneurship and cultural exchange. The mela unfolds as a meeting point of hands and habits, painted wood, slow-cooked food and customs carried from hom,e with each stall shaped by the place it comes from and the people who stand behind it. Organised as a platform to promote self-help groups and women-led enterprises, the mela highlights traditional handicrafts, handlooms, indigenous food products, and locally made items, promoting women’s empowerment and rural livelihoods.
For the women behind the stalls, Saras Mela is a chance to step outside their villages and place their work before new eyes. At each stall, each sale is more than a transaction, as it represents a step towards independence, greater confidence and new possibilities.
The mela aims to connect rural producers directly with consumers, encouraging self-reliance, entrepreneurship, and cultural exchange. Artisans from different states will present region-specific crafts and cultural expressions, turning the venue into a living mosaic of India’s heritage. Visitors will not only be able to purchase authentic products but also interact with artisans and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere that reflects the spirit of rural India.
