New Delhi, Oct 20 The eight-day Shilp Samagam Mela will begin in Guwahati on Wednesday, bringing together 75 artisans, including 31 women, to showcase around 40 varieties of handloom and handicraft products, the Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry said on Tuesday.
The mela, being organised by the ministry at Farm Gate, Khanapara, will continue until October 28.
Artisans from across the country, including the northeastern states, will participate in the event to showcase and sell their products, providing them an opportunity to interact directly with consumers, connect with prospective customers and expand their market reach, the ministry said.
The initiative aims to strengthen market access, encourage entrepreneurship and improve livelihood opportunities for artisans belonging to Scheduled Castes (SCs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Safai Mitras and Denotified Tribes (DNTs).
The mela will also promote BHARAT-TULIP (Traditional Artisans Upliftment Livelihood Programme), an initiative aimed at facilitating the marketing of products made by artisans from these communities through physical outlets and e-commerce platforms.
The programme seeks to expand market linkages and customer outreach while creating additional opportunities for artisans to enhance their earnings, the ministry said.
Shilp Samagam Mela is an initiative of the ministry to provide marketing support to artisans and beneficiaries associated with its three national corporations — the National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC), the National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC) and the National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC).
The first edition of SSM 2026 concluded in Mysuru on October 19, with thousands of visitors attending the nine-day event at the Dasara Exhibition Ground in Karnataka.
The mela will also create awareness among visitors and participating communities about welfare, financial assistance and development schemes implemented by the ministry and its three national corporations.
The initiative seeks to complement financial and developmental support with market-oriented interventions to help artisans convert their traditional skills and craftsmanship into sustainable livelihood opportunities, the ministry said.
(PTI News)
