The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), through the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), concluded its participation at Bharat Tex 2026 on Friday, showcasing the entrepreneurial achievements of Lakhpati Didis and the rich diversity of India’s traditional textiles and handicrafts.
Over the four-day exhibition, women associated with Self Help Groups (SHGs) engaged with buyers, exporters, industry representatives and visitors from India and abroad, highlighting the growing role of rural women entrepreneurs in the country’s textile and handicraft sector.
The exhibition provided rural entrepreneurs with an opportunity to connect directly with buyers and industry stakeholders, exchange ideas and explore new business opportunities. The Ministry said the interactions helped women entrepreneurs expand their market reach and strengthen commercial linkages for their products.
The pavilion featured an extensive collection of traditional Indian textiles and handicrafts representing diverse regional art forms. Visitors viewed products ranging from Pattachitra paintings, Pen Kalamkari, Phulkari embroidery, Eri silk and Pashmina to several other handcrafted creations, showcasing the craftsmanship, creativity and enterprise of rural women from across the country.
One of the major attractions was the Saras Shakti Collection, a premium gifting initiative under DAY-NRLM that brings together carefully curated handcrafted products made by rural women SHGs.
According to the Ministry, the initiative focuses on improving quality, design, packaging and market readiness, enabling women-led enterprises to access institutional and premium markets while preserving the authenticity of traditional crafts.
Highlighting the significance of the initiative, the Ministry said the participation of Lakhpati Didis at Bharat Tex 2026 reflected the increasing contribution of women-led SHG enterprises to India’s textile and handicraft industry.
Through DAY-NRLM, rural women are provided support in accessing finance, skill development, enterprise creation and market linkages, enabling them to build sustainable livelihoods and enhance their incomes.
The Ministry noted that DAY-NRLM has mobilised more than 10 crore rural women into Self Help Groups across the country. Building on this extensive community network, the Lakhpati Didi initiative has already helped create over three crore Lakhpati Didis, with the government working towards its target of creating six crore Lakhpati Didis.
“The Ministry’s participation at Bharat Tex 2026 reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening women-led rural enterprises by promoting market access, preserving India’s rich textile and craft heritage, and creating greater opportunities for rural women entrepreneurs to connect with national and international markets through DAY-NRLM,” the Ministry said in a statement.