- Visitors at Farm Gate, Khanapara, Guwahati saw the rich and diverse heritage of India’s traditional hand‑crafts and handloom products
- A group of artists presented traditional music and dance programmes
An eight‑day Shilp Samagam Mela 2026 is being held in Assam’s capital Guwahati to bring together artisans from across the country, including the North‑East states
The fair is showcasing the rich and varied heritage of India’s traditional hand‑crafts and handloom products
The fair, organised by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, will run until Wednesday, 28 October
A senior ministry official said the fair is open to the public daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Farm Gate, Khanapara, Guwahati. He added that visitors are viewing the variety of traditional products and can purchase them to support the artisans
Visitors are also enjoying performances by many artists presenting traditional music and dance
The official said a total of 75 artisans are participating, including 31 women, displaying about 40 types of handloom and hand‑craft items
He said the event provides a platform for artisans to showcase their products, sell directly to visitors, connect with potential buyers and explore market‑access opportunities
He added that by facilitating direct dialogue between artisans and consumers, the fair aims to strengthen market access, promote entrepreneurship and improve livelihood opportunities for the participants
The official noted that the Guwahati fair displays a wide range of traditional crafts and handloom products from various regions of India
He said the participation of artisans from other parts of the country as well as the North‑East will give visitors a chance to appreciate India’s artistic traditions, indigenous craft skills and cultural heritage
He said the event also seeks to encourage greater appreciation for the skill and creativity of artisans whose work contributes to preserving traditional knowledge and craft traditions
The official further explained that a key objective of the fair is to promote the India‑Tulip (upliftment and livelihood programme for traditional artisans). This initiative aims to facilitate marketing of products made by targeted artisan groups through physical sales centres and e‑commerce platforms
By expanding access to broad markets and digital channels, the initiative seeks to strengthen market linkages, reach more customers and provide artisans with additional income‑earning opportunities
He said it also helps connect artisans and their products to changing consumer markets, thereby supporting the preservation and promotion of traditional arts and crafts
Shilp Samagam Mela (SSM‑2026) is a major ministry initiative aimed at providing marketing assistance to artisans and beneficiaries linked to its three national corporations: National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC), National Sanitation Workers Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC) and National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC)
The first edition of SSM 2026 concluded on 19 October in Mysuru, where thousands of visitors attended the nine‑day fair at the Dasara Exhibition Ground in Karnataka’s Mysuru
Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ principle, the fair promotes economic empowerment of artisans from Scheduled Castes (SC), Other Backward Classes (OBC), sanitation workers and Denotified Tribes (DNT)
The fair provides a dedicated platform for these communities to showcase their skills, market their products and strengthen economic self‑reliance through sustainable livelihood opportunities
In addition to promoting sales of traditional products, the fair raises awareness among visitors and participating communities about the welfare, financial and development schemes implemented by the ministry and its three national corporations
The official said the initiative links market‑oriented measures with financial and developmental support, enabling artisans to convert their traditional skills into viable livelihood options
It is noteworthy that through initiatives like the Shilp Samagam Mela, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment continues to advance its socio‑economic empowerment agenda by promoting entrepreneurship, easing market access and supporting sustainable livelihoods for financially vulnerable communities
The fair is giving participating artisans greater recognition, increasing awareness of their products and encouraging public engagement with India’s rich handloom and hand‑craft traditions