The eight‑day Shilp Samagam Mela 2026 is being held in Guwahati, the capital of Assam. It is the second fair in the Shilp Samagam Mela series organised by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment during the financial year 2026‑27
This fair, aimed at bringing together artisans from all over the country including the North‑East, showcases the rich and diverse heritage of India’s traditional handicrafts and handloom products
A senior officer of the ministry said the fair will continue until Wednesday, 28 October
He added that the fair at Farm Gate in Khanapara, Guwahati, is open to the public daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The officer said visitors are seeing a wide range of traditional products, enabling them to buy these works and support the artisans
He said visitors enjoy traditional music and dance performances presented by many artists
The officer said a total of 75 artisans are participating in the fair, including 31 women artisans. They are displaying about 40 varieties of handloom and handicraft products
He said the event provides a platform for participating artisans to showcase their products, sell them directly to visitors, connect with potential customers and expand their market reach
He further said that by facilitating direct dialogue between artisans and consumers, the fair aims to strengthen market access, encourage entrepreneurship and improve livelihood opportunities for participating artisans
The officer said the fair in Guwahati displayed a wide range of traditional crafts and handloom products from various parts of India
He added that the participation of artisans from other parts of the country as well as the North‑East will give visitors an opportunity to appreciate India’s artistic traditions, indigenous craft skills and cultural heritage diversity
He said the purpose of the event is also to encourage greater appreciation of the skills and creativity of artisans whose work contributes to preserving traditional knowledge and craft traditions
The officer further said a major aim of the fair is to promote India‑Tulip (a livelihood and upliftment programme for traditional artisans). This initiative aims to facilitate marketing of products made by artisans in targeted groups through physical sales centres and e‑commerce platforms
By expanding access to broad markets and digital channels, the initiative seeks to strengthen market connectivity, increase customer reach and provide artisans with additional income opportunities
He said it helps connect artisans and their products to changing consumer markets, thereby aiding the preservation and promotion of traditional arts and crafts
Shilp Samagam Mela (SSM‑2026) is a key initiative of the ministry, aimed at providing marketing support to artisans and beneficiaries linked to its three national corporations. These three corporations are: National Scheduled Caste Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC), National Cleaning Staff Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFD), and National Backward Class Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFD)
The first edition of SSM 2026 was held on 19 October at Dashahara Exhibition Ground in Mysuru, Karnataka, where thousands of visitors flocked to the nine‑day fair. Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ principle, the fair promotes the economic empowerment of artisans from Scheduled Castes (SC), Other Backward Classes (OBC), cleaning staff, and liberated tribes (NT)
The fair provides these communities with a dedicated platform to showcase their skills, market their products and strengthen their economic self‑reliance through sustainable livelihood opportunities
In addition to promoting the sale of traditional products, the fair raises awareness among visitors and participating communities about welfare, financial assistance and development schemes implemented by the ministry and its three national corporations
The officer said the initiative combines financial and developmental assistance with market‑oriented measures, enabling artisans to transform their traditional skills and craftsmanship into viable livelihood opportunities
Notably, through initiatives like the Shilp Samagam Mela, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment continues to advance the socio‑economic empowerment of communities facing financial hardships by promoting entrepreneurship, facilitating market access and supporting sustainable livelihoods
The fair is giving participating artisans greater recognition, raising awareness of their products and encouraging public engagement with India’s rich handloom and handicraft traditions