Union Minister for Rural Development, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated the Saras Aajeevika Food Festival 2025 at Sunder Nursery, Bharat Scouts and Guides Marg, Nizamuddin, New Delhi on Monday. Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt Annapurna Devi, was also present at the launch.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan praised the achievements of Lakhpati Didis, stating that their hard work and determination have written “a new chapter of progress and prosperity”. Participants from 25 states are taking part in the festival this year, many of whom, he said, have become inspirational success stories for women across the country.
Welcoming the women entrepreneurs to the national capital, the Minister reiterated the Prime Minister’s commitment to the financial upliftment of rural women. He emphasised that no woman should remain dependent or deprived when she has the skills and talent to build her own future. “Our sisters must move forward with confidence, ability and dedication,” he remarked.
Shri Chouhan highlighted India’s cultural diversity, noting that the participating women, representing various languages and traditions, carry the “spark of belief” in their eyes as they scale new heights through entrepreneurship. He also encouraged the public to visit the festival, describing it as a confluence of taste, self-reliance and tradition, where every dish reflects the cultural memories and culinary teachings passed down through generations.
A platform for women-led livelihood
The Saras Aajeevika Food Festival has evolved into a flagship platform promoting market access and national recognition for women belonging to self-help groups under the National Rural Livelihood Mission. The festival serves as a space for hundreds of Lakhpati Didis to showcase their enterprises, gain financial independence and inspire more women from rural communities.
Dishes from 25 states, open until 9 December
The festival brings together women from 25 states, offering over 500 traditional dishes across 62 food stalls. It is open to the public daily from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. until 9 December.
Celebrating culture through food
Visitors can enjoy iconic regional dishes such as Himachali Seeddu, Tandoori Chai from Uttarakhand, Kalari Kulcha from Jammu & Kashmir, Hyderabadi Dum Biryani, North-Eastern Momos, Bengali Fried Fish, Kair Sangri from Rajasthan, Hilsa Fish Curry, Telangana-style chicken, Malabar Biryani from Kerala, Litti-Chokha of Bihar, and Sarson ka Saag with Makki Roti of Punjab, among many others. States including Haryana, Arunachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Kerala, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa and Gujarat are participating this year.
Beyond food: Rural products on display
Alongside the culinary stalls, kiosks featuring natural and rural products offer visitors deeper insights into the economic and social ecosystem of India’s villages. The festival has emerged as a comprehensive platform celebrating women-led livelihoods, cultural heritage and the spirit of rural self-reliance.
Subscribe Deshwale on YouTube
