As the autumn sun announces its aesthetic aura at the Sher-i-Kashmir Park, Srinagar, the ground abuzz with stalls, shares stories of struggle and success. Each stall is attended by a woman SHG (Self Help Group) member associated with National Rural Livelihood Mission. A glance through the rows of stalls attracts the visitors to stop at each one and explore the colours of tradition and culture, amid the myriad tones of speech hinting at the women SHG members’ different home states, all under one roof. Each handcrafted item reflects the skill, creativity and dedication of the women SHG members associated with the National Rural Livelihood Mission, a guiding torch for the Women SHGs across the States. “I was drawn by the hoarding that read ‘Exhibition and Sale of Rural Arts and Crafts from Across India’,” said an employee from J&K Bank a visitor at the Mela shopping her favourite dress material from one of the stalls.“This is one of the rarest places where you can find such diverse products from different corners of India, all in one place. This is my second consecutive day at the Mela and today I have brought along friends and colleagues to share in the experience and enjoy the shopping.”
Beyond the colours and bustle of the Saras Mela at Srinagar’s Sher-i-Kashmir Park, running from October 4 to 14, there is a deeper story to the spectacle.
SARAS, or the Sale of Articles of Rural Artisans Society, is a national initiative backed by the Ministry of Rural Development. It brings together women Self Help Groups (SHGs) associated with National Rural Livelihood Mission, from across India, giving them a space to display and sell their crafts, foods, and innovations. SARAS Mela every year is arranged under the aegis of Jammu and Kashmir Rural Livelihood Mission (JKRLM) in J&K. This year, women SHG members from 13 states and Union Territories, along with SHG members from 20 districts of Jammu & Kashmir, have come together beneath the autumn shadows of the Chinar trees. The Mela is not just trade but it is about transformation, about SHG members sharing their skills, stories and traditions, creating a silent atmosphere of subtle learning.
For many of these women SHG members, the journey begins in small village lanes, guided by their State Rural Livelihood Missions, leading to community level meetings, family conversations, preparations and careful planning for attending the Saras Mela. And now, in the heart of Srinagar City they stand behind their products, answering questions from visitors and buyers, proud of the fact that they have become self-reliant. The SARAS gathering portrays strong invisible threads connecting the far corners of India, woven by the hands of women SHG members.
“The Saras Mela Kashmir, hosted in Srinagar by the Jammu and Kashmir Rural Livelihood Mission (JKRLM), is more than a commercial event; it serves as a vital platform for connection and social interaction.”
Empowerment at Saras Mela Kashmir goes far beyond economic gains. It is about mobility of the women members, the ability to travel long distances and present work far from home. It is about dignity, a space where State awardees like the woman at the Andhra Pradesh stall turning the pages of her achievement file for curious visitors, or the two differently abled women showcasing their skills at Rajasthan stall. Recognition comes in these moments, as these women stand out as productive and respected members of the society. This empowerment often begins in the Community Based organizations (CBOs), a shared platform of growth and direction for these SHG women in their communities and becomes visible here at the stalls, where they confidently present their products and share their stories, some for the very first time with a wider and unknown audience.
For many of these women SHG members reaching Srinagar was an emotional milestone, a journey that meant leaving their families behind and traversing long distances. “I had options as SARAS was hosted by State Rural Livelihood Missions of Telangana, Gujarat, and Uttarakhand,” said Smriti Chakma a woman SHG member from Tripura, her fingers deftly looping threads into intricate crochet patterns. “But when I heard about SARAS Kashmir, I felt something different. I told the team: I will go there.”
That decision involved days of careful planning, long journeys, and close coordination with the State Rural Livelihood Missions both in their home States and back herewith JKRM, ending in a venture to an unfamiliar place for many traveling as first-timers. Another SHG member, Prashanti Rai from West Bengal reflected: “Back home, I had so much work – but my inner self said, give that a back push. I have always wanted to come to Kashmir. SARAS gave me that chance, not as a tourist, but as a representative of my SHGs, my tradition.” Their presence in Srinagar is a declaration of how National Rural Livelihood Mission operating across the States/UTs of India serve as enabler and bridge, gently facilitating an emotional, cultural, and economic flow. This empowerment speaks volumes about the forces working behind the scenes, from the moment the women are grouped into SHGs to the moment the transformation becomes tangible. Saras Mela Kashmir isn’t just about commerce. It’s a space of connection, made possible by the Jammu and Kashmir Rural Livelihood Mission (JKRLM), hosting it in Srinagar.
(The author is District Program Manager in J&K Rural Livelihood Mission (JKRLM). The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
Madina Bukhari
