Shri Sudhansh Pant, Union Secretary of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, is visiting the ongoing Nine Days SHILP SAMAGAM MELA 2026 at Mysuru in Karnataka tomorrow. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is organising the Mela.
Along with site visits in Mysuru, the Secretary is also conducting a comprehensive review of the Ministry’s Schemes, Programmes and Initiatives under implementation.
According to a Senior Official in the Ministry, the Mela has been running at the Mysuru Dasara Exhibition Grounds in Mysuru since October 11. The Mela will close on October 19 Monday.
The official said the Mela gives artisans and beneficiaries from Scheduled Castes (SCs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Safai Karamcharis a marketing platform to present their traditional handicrafts, handloom products and other goods to a wider audience.
The Mela has been jointly organised by three national corporations under the Ministry — the National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC), the National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC) and the National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC) — which provide financial assistance to artisans and eligible beneficiaries, the Official said.
There are 83 stalls at the ongoing Mela, of which 80 stalls have been allotted to artisans, among them 37 women artisans. The exhibition has participation from artisans of 12 States and Union Territories, including Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Kerala, Rajasthan, Puducherry, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.
A wide variety of products is on display at the stalls, such as handicrafts, handloom sarees, spices, pickles, incense sticks, honey products, block-printed items, leather goods, wooden toys, bags, purses, terracotta products, artificial jewellery, rosewood wall hangings, and bed and cushion covers. He also visited the Food stalls offering traditional delicacies, which add to the visitor experience.
The Mela aims to strengthen market linkages for artisans, promote traditional craftsmanship and create sustainable livelihood opportunities. By interacting directly with visitors and prospective customers, participating artisans can showcase their products, grow their customer base and widen the market reach of their enterprises. The initiative also showcases India’s rich cultural heritage and helps preserve traditional art forms and skills.
The SHILP SAMAGAM MELA 2026 will remain open at the Mysuru Dasara Exhibition Grounds until October 19 Monday, giving visitors a chance to explore India’s traditional crafts and handloom products while supporting artisans’ livelihoods. With initiatives like this, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment continues to improve market access, encourage entrepreneurship and promote the economic empowerment of disadvantaged communities.
The MELA is also an important platform for sharing information on the schemes and programmes of the Ministry and its three national corporations, helping eligible beneficiaries learn about the financial assistance and entrepreneurship opportunities available.
In accordance with the applicable arrangements, the Ministry facilitates artisans’ participation by providing free stalls and support towards travel expenses, daily allowance, transportation of goods and meals.
Alongside the Mela, the Ministry is promoting the BHARAT TULIP (Traditional Artisans’ Upliftment Livelihood Programme) initiative, which seeks to expand market access in India and abroad, through digital platforms, for products made by target-group artisans. Branding products under BHARAT TULIP aims to raise their visibility, facilitate online sales and link traditional artisans with a wider customer base.
Since 2022, the Ministry has been organising Shilp Samagam Melas, and 13 fairs held so far have benefited 975 artisans.
The current Mysuru edition is the first Shilp Samagam Mela of the financial year 2026–27.
During the current financial year, the Ministry also proposes to hold more fairs in Guwahati (Oct 21 to 28, 2026), Dilli Haat in New Delhi, Jodhpur and Lucknow, and to take part in major exhibitions such as the India International Trade Fair 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, from November 14 to 27, 2026, and the Surajkund Mela in February 2027.