Chandigarh, November 23,2025: Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said that the Saras Aajeevika Fair not only brings artisans and buyers together on one platform but also strengthens the nation’s journey towards economic self-reliance. Speaking as the chief guest at the closing ceremony of the Saras Aajeevika Mela-2025 held at Parade Ground, Sector-5, Panchkula, he emphasised the need to prioritise products made by local craftsmen to support small entrepreneurs and preserve traditional skills.
The Chief Minister inaugurated the Swapna Digital Gram Bazaar Portal and the Saanjha Bazaar Sales Portal during the event. He said that women’s self-help groups (SHGs) play a crucial role in empowering rural households and ensured that their contribution to economic independence remains significant.
Saini visited stalls set up by SHG members, artisans and craftsmen from various states. He appreciated the quality and skill displayed by women entrepreneurs and encouraged them to produce goods that can compete with international markets. He said that these women are strengthening the Prime Minister’s vision of a self-reliant India and promoting the idea of ‘Vocal for Local’.
The Swapna Digital Gram Bazaar Portal will serve as an integrated e-commerce platform for SHGs to showcase and sell their products globally. It will enable rural women to register products, receive orders, track sales and reach customers at state and national levels. The Saanjha Bazaar Sales Portal will ensure continuous market availability, transparent stall allocation, real-time sales tracking and improved product visibility. The portal will integrate all operational activities related to Saanjha Bazaar, bus stand shops, village stores, canteens, Saras Mela stalls and mall outlets.
The Chief Minister said that women’s participation has made the fair a symbol of empowerment. He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also praised the work of SHGs, highlighting the dedication of women in Rohtak’s handloom industry in his Mann Ki Baat address on 28 July 2024. More than 250 women in Rohtak are engaged in block printing and dyeing after receiving training through SHGs. The Haryana State Rural Livelihood Mission was established to support such initiatives and connect rural families to mainstream economic activities.
Saini said that Saanjha Bazaar facilities are being set up at all district headquarters, with 10 already operational. Online and offline platforms are being developed to support marketing and branding of SHG products. Under the mission, 60,554 SHGs have been formed, connecting 5.98 lakh families and offering them financial support through revolving funds and community investment funds. So far, assistance worth ₹547.89 crore has been provided. The government has increased the community investment fund from ₹50,000 to ₹1.5 lakh. Around 380 canteens in the state are currently being run by SHG women trained in hotel management.
The Chief Minister said the government aims to create three lakh ‘Lakhpati Didis’ in Haryana and is providing drone training to women under the Drone Didi Yojana. One hundred women have already received drones and are using them in agriculture and horticulture. He said that women are the foundation of social progress, and their equal role has placed Haryana among the most progressive states in India. The state has handed over 151 Vita milk booths to women to promote financial independence.
Additional Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister and Commissioner-Secretary of Development & Panchayats Department, Dr. Saket Kumar, said that Saras Aajeevika Mela is not only a market for SHG products but also a platform to fuel the dreams of women entrepreneurs. He praised the efforts made by the central and state governments for women empowerment.
Women entrepreneurs from Haryana and other states shared their experiences and thanked the Chief Minister for providing them with a strong platform to sell their products. They said their goods are gaining recognition within India and abroad. Several stalls, including pickles, spices, food items, metal utensils and toys, reported good earnings during the fair.
Women & Child Development Minister Shruti Choudhary, former Haryana Assembly Speaker Gian Chand Gupta, Mayor Kulbhushan Goyal, SHG members, artisans and craftsmen from various states attended the event.
