Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on September 16 inaugurated the Ladakh Rural Livelihood Mission (LRLM)-SARAS Mela 2026, organised to give women Self Help Groups (SHGs) a strong platform to showcase and market their products, access new markets, and strengthen their livelihoods. 

The Mela, held in Leh Main Market, aims to go beyond exhibition and sales by creating opportunities for rural women entrepreneurs to interact with customers, buyers, and SHGs from across the country; understand market requirements; and learn about packaging, branding, technology, and modern business practices.

The Lieutenant Governor said SARAS Mela is not merely an exhibition or a platform for buying and selling products, but a celebration of the hard work, creativity, talent and entrepreneurial spirit of Ladakh’s women. He called for enabling SHG women to move from livelihood activities to sustainable, market-oriented enterprises and take products made in Ladakh to markets across the country and eventually the world.

L-G Saxena highlighted the progress under the Ladakh Rural Livelihoods Mission (LRLM), with more than 16,000 women, 2,310 SHGs, 248 Village Organisations and 18 Cluster Level Federations now associated with the Mission. He said the growing participation of women in agriculture, livestock, food processing, handicrafts and other enterprises is strengthening not only family incomes but also the rural economy.

He emphasised the need to connect Ladakh’s rich traditional skills, including weaving, wool work, handicrafts and local food, with modern markets so that the region’s heritage becomes a sustainable source of income for rural women.

Calling upon SHG women to move beyond production and embrace entrepreneurship, the Lieutenant Governor stressed the importance of better packaging, branding, technology and business practices. He said the goal should be to develop women as entrepreneurs and producers capable of scaling up their enterprises and creating a distinct identity for Ladakh’s products.

The Lieutenant Governor also highlighted the Lakhpati Didi initiative, noting that Ladakh currently has 385 Lakhpati Didis, while more than 3,000 women have the potential to join their ranks. He called for strengthening existing livelihoods, creating new opportunities and supporting women in scaling up their enterprises.

Through LRLM, approximately ₹15 crore has been made available through the Revolving Fund and the Community Investment Fund. The Lieutenant Governor urged women to utilise these resources productively to strengthen livelihoods and create new business opportunities.

He said SHG women should not be viewed merely as beneficiaries but as livelihood holders, entrepreneurs and active partners in the economic development of their families and communities.

“When our women move forward, Ladakh will move forward,” said L-G Saxena, congratulating the participants, officials and wishing the LRLM-SARAS Mela 2026 success.

The Lieutenant Governor inspected the stalls showing different products from all parts of Ladakh and also interacted with artisans, entrepreneurs and women SHGs. He also flagged off a fleet of vehicles sponsored under Ajeevika Grameen Express Yojana (AGEY) on the occasion.