Amaravati, Oct 14 President Droupadi Murmu arrived at Gannavaram airport in Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday for a two-day visit to Vijayawada, where she will pray at the Kanaka Durga temple and attend the SARAS Mela.
Murmu will offer prayers at the Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam atop Indrakeeladri between 7.20 pm and 7.40 pm, and will stay overnight in the city.
On Thursday, she will be the chief guest at the Sale of Articles of Rural Artisans Society (SARAS) Mela at Punnami Ghat from 11.30 am to 1 pm. The event is jointly organised by the Union Ministry of Rural Development and the Andhra Pradesh government.
She will then attend a luncheon with members of Self-Help Groups and ‘Lakhpati Didis’ from 1.10 pm to 2.10 pm, and is scheduled to reach Gannavaram airport at 2.45 pm to leave for New Delhi.
A Lakhpati Didi is a woman SHG member whose household earns at least Rs 1 lakh annually, with average monthly income above Rs 10,000 sustained over at least four agricultural or business cycles.
Saras Aajeevika Melas are flagship events under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), providing a national platform to rural SHGs and artisans.
The mela, which runs until October 31, has more than 500 stalls displaying handicrafts, handloom products and other goods made by SHG women from across the country.
The initiative aims to strengthen the rural economy by giving women direct access to urban consumers, widening their markets and raising their incomes. It also promotes ‘Vocal for Local’ and Atmanirbhar Bharat and supports capacity building in packaging, branding and marketing.
(PTI News)
