NEW DELHI — Charting a comprehensive roadmap for rural economic independence, the two-day Rashtriya Gramin Vikas Sammelan (RGVS) 2026 concluded with a resolute Centre-State commitment to accelerate the vision of Viksit Gram, Viksit Bharat.
Organized by the Ministry of Rural Development, the national conclave culminated in the launch of the premium ‘SARAS Shakti’ Collection and an accompanying corporate Coffee Table Book—strategic initiatives designed to transition women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) into institutional, high-margin consumer markets.
High-Level Ministerial Convergence
The national summit was inaugurated by Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister for Rural Development and Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare.
The leadership panel included Ministers of State for Rural Development, Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani and Shri Kamlesh Paswan, alongside State Rural Development Ministers, senior bureaucrats, and representatives from State Rural Livelihood Missions (SRLMs) across India.
Summit Matrix:
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Organizer: Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India
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Core Legislative Focus: Execution framework for the VB-GRAMG Act, 2025
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Flagship Programs Reviewed: PMAY-G (Housing), PMGSY (Road Infrastructure), DAY-NRLM (Livelihoods), and Rural Skill Development.
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Target Vector: Deploying digital and financial interventions to create 6 crore Lakhpati Didis by 2029.
Market Evolution: Launching ‘SARAS Shakti’
A primary highlight of the conclave was the evolution of Saras Aajeevika, the national marketing ecosystem under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). What began as a standalone mela in 1999 has grown into a massive network encompassing over 25 distinct State brands, generating more than ₹200 crore in annual exhibition revenue.
To scale this grassroots success into mainstream retail, the Ministry launched a dual-pronged branding asset:
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SARAS Shakti Collection: A meticulously curated premium product pipeline featuring top-tier handlooms, textiles, and artisanal crafts aimed at urban and corporate buyers.
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SARAS Shakti Coffee Table Book: A strategic corporate profile documenting the scale, quality control, and immense market potential of India’s rural women entrepreneurs.
Showcasing Regional Craft and Financial Independence
Delegates and ministers from states including Gujarat, Odisha, West Bengal, Meghalaya, Bihar, Kerala, and Telangana visited the Saras Aajeevika Gallery. The exhibition acted as a live demonstration of how systematic branding transforms traditional heritage into sustainable commercial businesses.
| Category | Regional Specialities & Artforms Displayed |
| Premium Textiles | Phulkari (Punjab), Pashmina (J&K), Ikat & Telia textiles (Telangana), Paunchei (Mizoram) |
| Intricate Handicrafts | Meenakari, Dokra, traditional brasswork, and specialized woodcraft |
| Livelihood Models | Live interactions with successful Lakhpati Didis leading scalable rural enterprises |
The Path Forward: Scaling Up to 10 Crore Women
With DAY-NRLM currently supporting over 10 crore women organized into SHGs, the Sammelan solidified the next phase of rural governance. Moving forward, the Ministry and state units will prioritize decentralized enterprise financing, rigorous product standardization, and tech-driven supply chains to ensure that local, climate-resilient rural businesses achieve self-reliant, long-term economic growth.
