Mangaluru hosts national-level Saras Mela; Minister says women key to rural prosperity

Mangaluru hosts national-level Saras Mela; Minister says women key to rural prosperity

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Feb 21, 2026: If any benefits or financial assistance are given to women, they do not use them for personal purposes; instead, they channel them towards the welfare and progress of their families. That is why the State government is supporting women to lead lives of dignity through women-centric schemes, said Medical Education and Skill Development Minister Dr. Sharan Prakash Patil.

He was speaking as the chief guest at the national-level “Saras Mela” — an exhibition and sale of products made by women from self-help groups — being held at the Karavali Utsav Grounds in Mangaluru until February 28.

He said that for real change in the lives of ordinary people, family incomes must increase. If prosperity is to be brought to the country, and if the incomes of rural families are to rise, it is possible only through women — this is the firm resolve of the government.

Every year, revolving fund capital is being provided to Gram Panchayat-level federations. Each federation is given ₹1.5 lakh as capital support. There are more than 5,000 such Gram Panchayat-level federations in the state. Through these federations, women are being empowered through various benefits and schemes. So far, nearly ₹70 crore has been provided to Mangaluru, he said.

The Akka Food Mela was earlier held in Bengaluru. This year, with the intention of taking it outside the capital, it has been organised in Mangaluru. Over 100 stalls showcasing products from self-help groups across various states and districts have been set up, along with an Akka food court. The event used to be held annually in Bengaluru, but with the idea that it should also be conducted in other districts, it was organised in Kalaburagi last year and is being held in Mangaluru this year, he added.

The aim of the mela is to introduce coastal residents to self-help groups from different parts of the country and to provide a platform for artisans, as people in the region show keen interest in handicrafts. MLA Vedavyas Kamath presided over the programme.

Among those present were MP Capt. Brijesh Chowta, Cashew Development Corporation Chairperson Mamatha Gatti, MUDA President Sadashiva Ullal, Konkani Academy President Stany Alvares, Skill Development Department Secretary Manoj Kumar Meena, NRLM Mission Director Jyoshna, Deputy Commissioner Darshan H.V., Zilla Panchayat CEO Vinayaka Narvade and others.

Speaker of the Legislative Assembly U.T. Khader inaugurated the Saras Mela by symbolically blossoming a coconut flower. He described the event as not merely a trade platform but a showcase of the strength and self-reliance of self-help groups, empowering rural women.

He noted that ordinary women from the coastal region have earned recognition through cashew processing units, fisheries and the beedi industry, and have demonstrated self-reliance by providing higher education to their children.

High demand for earthen pots, sarees and snacks

On the opening day of the Saras Mela at the Karavali Utsav Grounds, earthen pots, sarees and a variety of delicious food items prepared by women under the Akka Food initiative witnessed good demand. The women-run stalls feature products from self-help groups representing states such as Odisha, Chandigarh, Kerala, Assam, West Bengal, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, besides various districts of Karnataka.

More than 100 stalls are displaying and selling a wide range of items, including Kalamkari sarees from Andhra Pradesh, Pochampally sarees from Telangana, embroidered sarees from Assam, handlooms from Tripura and West Bengal, handicrafts from Uttar Pradesh, and various household and food products. From Karnataka, products such as Channapatna wooden toys, Kinnal toys from Koppal, Ilkal sarees and fibre-based bags are also on display.

At the Akka Cafe, local self-help group women are serving jackfruit-based delicacies such as jackfruit fritters, jackfruit sheera and jackfruit payasam, along with fresh fruit juices, churmuri, holige, neer dosa and other snacks from different states, attracting customers in large numbers.