Organized by the Ministry of Rural Development with the assistance of NIRDPR for over 25 years now, the SARAS AAJEEVIKA MELA serves as a platform bringing together myriad products from across India. It helps showcase the handmade and handicraft products developed by Self-help Group (SHGs) offering the best of cultural heritage, bringing forth stories from rural India and highlighting the role of women entrepreneurs from rural sectors giving them a national level platform.
On the 10th of November 2023, this event was held in Sector 29 Gurgaon where our students got a chance to visit and explore the diverse cultural heritage of India. It served as an opportunity for them to witness different craft forms ranging from the intricate bamboo art of Assam to the vibrant Madhubani paintings of Bihar to the beautiful Kantha sarees from West Bengal. This year around 800 women from various SHGs participated in the Mela and showcased a remarkable range of products from different states including exquisite handicrafts, intricate handlooms, and wholesome natural food items, all hailing from the heart of rural India.
The objective of this educational trip was for the students to gain insights into the stories behind each craft form, understanding the challenges and triumphs of rural women turning into successful entrepreneurs and just to get an essence of how wonderfully rich the Indian cultural heritage is and to develop an appreciation for Indian craftsmanship.
