- Strong Showcase of Women Entrepreneurship as 60 Self-Help Groups Set Up Stalls
- Saras Mela Emerges as a Confluence of Swadeshi, Self-Employment and Culture: Satish Mahana
Local Products Will Realise the Vision of Self-Reliant Uttar Pradesh and Developed India: Yogendra Upadhyay
Kanpur/Lucknow | The Uttar Pradesh government’s sustained efforts towards women empowerment under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath found a strong reflection with the inauguration of the Saras Aajeevika Mela–2026 at Motijheel Lawn-2 in Kanpur. The fair will remain open to the public till January 6.
The event was inaugurated by Uttar Pradesh Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana, while Kanpur In-Charge Minister and Higher Education Minister Yogendra Upadhyay was present as the chief guest.
Addressing the gathering, Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana said that harmony and inclusiveness are intrinsic to Indian culture, and events like the Saras Aajeevika Mela play a vital role in preserving traditional food, handicrafts and cultural heritage linked to daily life. He noted that women associated with Self-Help Groups (SHGs) are displaying growing confidence and a strong desire to build their own identity through entrepreneurship.
Minister Yogendra Upadhyay stated that such fairs not only empower women economically but also lay a strong foundation for building a Viksit Bharat. Emphasising the importance of the “Adopt Swadeshi” mantra, he said that promoting local products is key to achieving the goals of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Atmanirbhar Uttar Pradesh.
On the occasion, several Self-Help Groups were honoured for their outstanding work. Awardees included Seema Devi of Ujjwala Women SHG (Jamdani sarees and suits), Ritu of Maa Durga Women SHG (spice products), Sangeeta Singh of Atmanirbhar SHG (millet-based products), Akanksha Raziya of Kiran SHG (boutique and garments), and Meera Devi of Mansi SHG (home décor and handicrafts).
District Magistrate Jitendra Pratap Singh said that all necessary facilities have been provided to participating women as per state government directives. Chief Development Officer Diksha Jain highlighted that such events offer rural women direct access to markets, helping them achieve financial independence. She also appealed to citizens to support women SHGs by purchasing their products at the fair.
The Saras Aajeevika Mela features 60 stalls, with 29 SHGs from Kanpur Nagar and 31 from five other districts of the division. The fair is open daily from 11 am to 8 pm.
A wide range of products manufactured by SHGs are on display and sale, including beauty and fragrance items, traditional apparel, handicrafts, household goods, Sakhi leather products, organic plants and agricultural produce, sanitation solutions, Saras food items, and health-related products. The fair has been receiving an enthusiastic response from the public.
Award-winning SHGs from districts such as Kanpur Dehat, Kannauj, Auraiya and Farrukhabad are drawing large crowds, particularly for stalls showcasing cosmetics, fragrances, spices, amla products, handicrafts, phenyl, handwash, and textiles.
Several public representatives and senior officials were present at the event, including MP Ramesh Awasthi, Mayor Pramila Pandey, District Panchayat Chairperson Swapnil Varun, MLAs Neelima Katiyar, Surendra Maithani, Saroj Kuril and Mohit Sonkar, MLC Salil Bishnoi, Women Commission members Poonam Dwivedi and Anita Gupta, Chairperson of Women Welfare Corporation Kalawati Singh, BJP Regional President Prakash Pal, along with senior administrative and police officials.
The Saras Aajeevika Mela–2026 stands as a vibrant platform showcasing women-led entrepreneurship and reinforcing the state’s commitment to inclusive growth and empowerment.
