MYSURU, October 18: Union Secretary of Social Justice and Empowerment Sudhansh Pant on Sunday visited the ongoing Shilp Samagam Mela 2026 at the Mysuru Dasara Exhibition Grounds, where artisans from 12 states and Union Territories are showcasing traditional crafts, handloom products and other goods.
The nine-day fair, which began on October 11 and concludes on October 19, features 83 stalls, including 80 allotted to artisans. Of these, 37 are run by women artisans, according to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Artisans from Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Kerala, Rajasthan, Puducherry, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh are participating in the exhibition.
During his visit, Pant inspected stalls and interacted with stall managers and visitors. He said the initiative aimed to expand market access, encourage entrepreneurship and promote the economic empowerment of disadvantaged communities.
The fair is organised by the Ministry in partnership with three national corporations: the National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC), the National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC) and the National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC).
The stalls offer a range of products, including handicrafts, handloom sarees, spices, pickles, honey products, incense sticks, leather goods, wooden toys, terracotta items, artificial jewellery and home furnishings. Food stalls serving traditional delicacies are also part of the exhibition.
The fair provides a marketing platform for artisans and beneficiaries from Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes and Safai Karamcharis to display their products, interact with prospective customers and expand their market reach.
The Ministry facilitates participation by providing free stalls and support for travel, daily allowances, transportation of goods and meals, as per applicable arrangements. The fair also provides information on financial assistance and entrepreneurship schemes offered by the Ministry and its corporations.
Alongside physical exhibitions, the Ministry is promoting BHARAT TULIP (Traditional Artisans’ Upliftment Livelihood Programme) to improve the visibility of artisans’ products through digital platforms and connect them with wider markets in India and abroad.
Since 2022, the Ministry has organised 13 Shilp Samagam fairs, benefiting 975 artisans. The Mysuru edition is the first for the 2026–27 financial year.
The Ministry has also proposed fairs in Guwahati from October 21 to 28, followed by events in New Delhi, Jodhpur and Lucknow. It is also scheduled to participate in the India International Trade Fair in New Delhi from November 14 to 27 and the Surajkund Mela in February 2027.
Comments are closed.