Amaravati, Oct 14 President Droupadi Murmu offered prayers to Goddess Kanaka Durga at the Indrakeeladri temple in Vijayawada on Wednesday, on the first day of her two-day visit to Andhra Pradesh.
She worshipped at the Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Devasthanam atop the hill 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 have lunch with members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and ‘Lakhpati Didis’ from 1.10 pm to 2.10 pm, before leaving for Gannavaram airport to catch her 2.45 pm flight to New Delhi.
A Lakhpati Didi is a woman SHG member whose household earns at least Rs 1 lakh a year, 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) and give rural SHGs and artisans a national platform.
The mela, which runs until October 31, has more than 500 stalls selling 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)
