Punjab Sakhi Shakti Mela 2025: Rural Women Entrepreneurs Get a Platform to Shine
The fair continues until November 30 and is expected to travel across the state.
Punjab Sakhi Shakti Mela 2025: Rural Women Entrepreneurs Get a Platform to Shine
The “Punjab Sakhi Shakti Mela 2025” started on November 26 at Ranbir College in Sangrur. It is a vibrant platform for home-based artisans and women-led self-help groups to showcase, sell and network, according to media reports.
As verbally stated by officials associated with the event, the state’s Punjab State Rural Livelihood Mission, in collaboration with the Departments of Rural Development & Panchayats and Industries & Commerce, has organised this mela. Officials inaugurated the fair amid traditional folk dances and musical performances, setting a festive tone for visitors from Sangrur.
The fair continues until November 30 and is expected to travel across the state. It is part of a larger plan under which Sakhi Shakti Melas will be held across 23 districts of Punjab till February 2026.
Empowerment through Entrepreneurship: Real Stories
A 45-year-old homemaker, Mamta Rani, from village Kanakwal Bhanguan, and ten other women formed the Baba Kapoor Das Self-Help Group. They initially invested about INR 20,000. Today, their enterprise’s monthly turnover has crossed INR 2 lakh, a remarkable transformation from their humble beginnings.
The group manufactures and sells a variety of household items: detergents, cleaning liquids, soaps, masalas, honey, and processed goods. They received training from Krishi Vigyan Kendra Kheri and Punjab Agricultural University, combined with government support under the state’s livelihood initiatives.
Many participants at the mela expressed hope of expanding to online markets to leverage digital exposure and scale gained through the fair. Local authorities under the livelihood mission said they will continue supporting these efforts to help rural women become self-reliant.
Beyond Sales: Cultural Exchange & Community Spirit
The Sakhi Shakti Mela is not only about business. Visitors can witness traditional handicrafts, handloom garments, home décor, organic foods, spices, and a wide range of handmade products, reflecting Punjab’s rich cultural and artisanal heritage.
The event also offers a festive ambience: folk performances, stalls from various states (Punjab, Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan), a food court, and cultural activities. Entry is nominal (INR 10), with free access for students from government schools – helping make the mela inclusive, according to statements made by the organisers.
Significance & What This Means
For many women, participating in Sakhi Shakti Mela is about more than earning money; it’s about respect, dignity, and recognition beyond household walls. It offers a real opportunity for financial independence and pushes back against traditional limitations on rural women’s economic participation.
As the mela moves across districts over the coming months, it could help reshape how rural craftsmanship and women-led micro-enterprises are perceived in Punjab.