‘SARAS Shakti’ Coffee Table Book Launched to Showcase the Diversity, Quality and Market Potential of Women SHG Products Rashtriya Gramin V...
‘SARAS Shakti’ Coffee Table Book Launched to Showcase the Diversity, Quality and Market Potential of Women SHG Products
Rashtriya Gramin Vikas Sammelan 2026 Charts the Roadmap for Viksit Bharat; Launches ‘SARAS Shakti’ Collection to Boost Rural Women-Led Enterprises
The Rashtriya Gramin Vikas Sammelan (RGVS) 2026, organised by the Ministry of Rural Development and aligned with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of rural transformation, concluded on 29 June 2026 with a shared commitment to accelerate the vision of Viksit Gram, Viksit Bharat through stronger Centre-State collaboration, community-led development, and technology-driven governance. The two-day national conclave served as a platform to review the implementation of flagship rural development programmes, exchange best practices across States and Union Territories, and deliberate on the roadmap for the next phase of rural transformation.
The Sammelan was inaugurated by the Union Minister for Rural Development and Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, in the presence of Union Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications, Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, and Minister of State for Rural Development, Shri Kamlesh Paswan. Over the two days, the event brought together Rural Development Ministers from States and Union Territories, senior officials, experts from the Central and State Governments, representatives of State Rural Livelihood Missions (SRLMs), and development partners.
A primary focus of the Sammelan was the effective implementation of the VB-GRAMG Act, 2025. The platform also hosted a comprehensive review of major rural development initiatives, including the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana–Gramin, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), Rural Skill Development Programmes, and the National Social Assistance Programme.
Deliberations centered on strengthening rural development planning, empowering Gram Panchayats, expanding women-led livelihoods, enhancing rural housing and connectivity, and promoting climate-resilient livelihoods. Discussions also mapped out digital interventions to accelerate progress toward creating 6 crore Lakhpati Didis by 2029. Innovative models from various States were highlighted for potential wider replication across the country.
The mission currently supports over 10 crore women organized into Self-Help Groups (SHGs). To strengthen women-led enterprises, the dialogue focused on enterprise financing, digital innovation, branding, and market access under DAY-NRLM.
The Sammelan highlighted the growing scale of Saras Aajeevika, the national marketing initiative of DAY-NRLM. Since the first Saras Mela in 1999, the initiative has evolved into a nationwide marketing ecosystem encompassing more than 25 State brands and generating over ₹200 crore in annual mela business.
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