New Delhi, Oct 18 Social Justice and Empowerment Secretary Sudhansh Pant on Sunday visited the ongoing nine-day Shilp Samagam Mela 2026 in Mysuru, Karnataka, which features 83 stalls, including 80 allotted to artisans, among them 37 women.
Artisans from 12 states and Union territories are participating in the exhibition, which began on October 11 and will conclude on Monday, according to the ministry.
During his visit to the Mysuru Dasara Exhibition Grounds, Pant inspected stalls and interacted with stall managers and visitors.
Pant said such initiatives strengthen market access, encourage entrepreneurship and advance the economic empowerment of disadvantaged communities.
The mela is being organised by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in partnership with three national corporations under it — 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 participating artisans belong to Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes and Safai Karamcharis, and are showcasing traditional handicrafts, handloom products and other goods.
Artisans from Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Kerala, Rajasthan, Puducherry, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh are participating in the exhibition.
The stalls offer a range of products, including handicrafts, handloom sarees, spices, pickles, incense sticks, honey products, block-printed items, leather goods, wooden toys, bags, purses, terracotta products, artificial jewellery, rosewood wall hangings, and bed and cushion covers.
Food stalls serving traditional delicacies have also been set up.
The ministry said the mela provides artisans a platform to showcase their products, interact directly with prospective customers, expand their customer base and strengthen market linkages.
The exhibition also promotes India’s cultural heritage and helps preserve traditional art forms and skills, the official said.
The mela serves as a platform to disseminate information about the ministry’s schemes and programmes and those of its three national corporations, enabling eligible beneficiaries to learn about financial assistance and entrepreneurship opportunities.
The ministry facilitates artisans’ participation by providing free stalls and support towards travel expenses, daily allowance, transportation of goods and meals, in accordance with applicable arrangements.
The ministry is also promoting the Bharat Tulip (Traditional Artisans’ Upliftment Livelihood Programme) initiative to expand market access for products made by target-group artisans through digital platforms in India and abroad.
The initiative aims to improve product visibility, facilitate online sales and connect traditional artisans with a wider customer base.
The ministry has been organising Shilp Samagam Melas since 2022, benefiting 975 artisans through 13 fairs held so far. The ongoing Mysuru edition is the first such mela of the financial year 2026-27.
The ministry plans to organise additional fairs in Guwahati from October 21 to 28, as well as at Dilli Haat in New Delhi, Jodhpur and Lucknow during the current financial year.
It will also participate in major exhibitions, including the India International Trade Fair 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi from November 14 to 27, and the Surajkund Mela in February 2027.
Pant is on a two-day official visit to Mysuru to review the implementation of the ministry’s schemes, programmes and initiatives in coordination with the local administration. He is also undertaking site visits in the city.
(PTI News)
