Guwahati, Jan 13: “It starts in the village,” Arunachaln Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu declared while inaugurating the SARAS Fair this morning. “India will develop when the North East develops. The North East will develop when Arunachal develops. Arunachal will develop when its villages develop. And villages will develop when their women develop.”
The SARAS event is a vibrant showcase of cultural heritage, sustainable livelihoods, and entrepreneurial spirit. It bridges the remote artisans of Arunachal’s rugged terrains to bustling national and global markets, offering a platform where tradition meets opportunity.
Empowering Women, Building Villages
The cornerstone of this vision lies in empowering women, particularly through Self-Help Groups (SHGs). Khandu highlighted that Arunachal’s SHGs and federations collectively manage a ₹300 crore corpus—an impressive feat given the state’s challenging geography.
In a milestone achievement, the state has certified over 1,600 “Lakhpatididis”—women earning over ₹1 lakh annually—through diversified livelihoods like agriculture, horticulture, livestock farming, and small enterprises. The state is gearing up to train 29,000 more women, aiming to replicate this success story.
“This is not just an economic transformation; it’s a social revolution,” Khandu emphasized. “It reflects the power of unity and the entrepreneurial spirit of our women.”
Showcasing Tradition and Talent
The SARAS Fair pulsates with the creativity and determination of rural artisans. Visitors can explore:
Mother’s Kitchen: Managed by over 3,500 SHG members, this project reinvents community-led catering through 433 units offering authentic flavors.
Handloom and Handicrafts: Close to 900 artisans bring diverse, traditional designs tailored for modern markets.
High-Value Agri-Horti Products: Products crafted by over 84,000 SHG members highlight Arunachal’s organic bounty.
The launch of the Handloom, Handicraft, Crochet, Knitting & Embroidery Cluster Initiative marked a significant milestone. Backed by a ₹3 crore capital infusion, this program focuses on skill development, design innovation, and sustainable income generation.
A Global Market for Arunachal’s Artisans
Khandu announced a ₹1 crore fund for a permanent marketing outlet in the state capital, where SHGs can showcase their products year-round. This outlet will integrate with e-commerce platforms, connecting rural artisans to global buyers.
The state is also creating robust local markets. Agreements with the Indian Army and ITBP ensure that fresh produce from Arunachal’s farms finds dependable buyers, providing a steady income to rural households.
A Beacon of Collaboration
Beyond Arunachal, the SARAS Fair attracts SHGs from Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Assam, and even distant states like Jammu and Kashmir and Goa. This confluence of diverse cultures and ideas underscores the fair’s role as a unifying platform for rural empowerment across India.
Sowing the Seeds of Transformation
The Arunachal State Rural Livelihoods Mission (ArSRLM), launched in 2016, has become a cornerstone of rural development, involving 1.4 lakh households across 25 districts. Its impact resonates through the stories of empowered women, thriving villages, and a state steadily carving a niche in sustainable rural entrepreneurship.
