SARAS Aajeevika to Showcase the Spirit of Women-Led Rural Enterprise at Rashtriya Gramin Vikas Sammelan 2026

📌 Summary:

• The Ministry of Rural Development will showcase women-led rural enterprise through the SARAS Aajeevika Gallery at the Rashtriya Gramin Vikas Sammelan (RGVS) 2026, to be held on 28–29 June at the ICAR–NASC Complex, Pusa, New Delhi, inaugurated by Shivraj Singh Chouhan
• Under DAY-NRLM, the Ministry has secured trademarks — SARAS, SARAS Aajeevika and Aajeevika — to brand and market products of women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) at national, regional, state and district levels via SARAS Melas
• Permanent retail platforms include the SARAS Aajeevika Gallery (Baba Kharak Singh Marg, New Delhi) plus the eSARAS e-commerce platform and mobile app, enabling rural women entrepreneurs to access digital markets nationwide
• The RGVS showcase features handcrafted products such as Chanderi sarees (MP), Phulkari (Punjab), Pashmina (J&K), Patola and Ajrakh (Gujarat), Kalamkari (AP), Ikat/Telia (Telangana), Kerala handloom and Rajasthan marble handicrafts; Lakhpati Didis will represent successful enterprises
• A highlight is the launch of the SARAS Shakti Collection, a curated premium gifting line of products made by rural women SHGs, opening institutional and consumer markets

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS2 Governance & Social Justice (SHGs and welfare delivery) and GS3 (rural livelihoods) — women-led development, market access and branding for SHG products, and the DAY-NRLM model of rural enterprise

📝 Prelims Facts:

• RGVS 2026: 28–29 June at ICAR–NASC Complex, Pusa, New Delhi
• SARAS, SARAS Aajeevika and Aajeevika are trademarks for SHG products under DAY-NRLM
• eSARAS is the e-commerce platform for SHG products
• DAY-NRLM = Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission

🔑 Key Term: DAY-NRLM — the National Rural Livelihoods Mission under the Ministry of Rural Development that mobilises rural poor women into SHGs and supports livelihoods, financial inclusion and market access.