Guwahati (Assam): The 8-day ‘Shilp Samagam Mela 2026’ is going to begin in Guwahati, the capital of Assam, from Wednesday. Organized by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, the fair will continue till 28th October 2026.
A senior official of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment said that the fair will be open for the general public from 11 am to 9 pm at the Farm Gate at Khanapara in Guwahati. He said that people coming here will be able to see a variety of traditional products, buy them and help the artisans.
He said that the fair will bring together artisans from across the country, including those from the North Eastern states. It will showcase the rich and diverse heritage of India’s traditional handicrafts and handloom products. A total of 75 artisans, including 31 women, are participating in the fair, the official said. They are displaying around 40 varieties of handloom and handicraft products here.
He said that the event will provide a platform for artisans to showcase and sell their products directly to the audience, establish connections with potential customers, and explore opportunities to expand their market reach. He further said that by fostering direct interaction between artisans and consumers, the fair strives to strengthen market access, encourage entrepreneurship, and improve livelihood opportunities for the artisans who participate.
The official said that the Guwahati edition will showcase a wide range of traditional crafts and handloom products from different regions of India. He said that with the participation of artisans from other parts of the country as well as the North Eastern states, the audience will get a chance to understand and appreciate the diversity of India’s artistic traditions, local craftsmanship and cultural heritage.
He said that the event also aims to honour and appreciate the skills and creativity of artisans whose work helps preserve traditional knowledge and craft traditions. He further informed that the main focus of this fair will be to promote ‘Bharat-TULIP’ (Upliftment and Livelihood Programme of Traditional Artisans). The objective of this initiative is to help the products made by the artisans of the target groups reach the market through shops and e-commerce platforms. By increasing access to larger markets and digital mediums, this initiative seeks to strengthen market linkages, increase customer reach, and create new opportunities for artisans to increase their earnings. It also helps preserve and promote traditional arts and crafts, connecting artisans and their products to the changing consumer markets, he added.
The Shilp Samagam Mela (SSM-2026) is an important initiative of the Ministry to provide marketing support to artisans and beneficiaries associated with its three national corporations: National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC), National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC), and National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC).
The first edition of SSM-2026 concluded in Mysuru on 19th October. Thousands of visitors thronged the nine-day fair at the Dussehra Exhibition Ground in Mysuru, Karnataka.
[DD news]