Minister of State for Social Justice Ramdas Athawale toured the Shilp Samagam Mela 2026 at Dilli Haat INA in Delhi on 6 November, a 15-day fair organised by his ministry for artisans.
Consumer Affairs Minister of State Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya and officials of the National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC) were present.
The mela
Its theme is "Prakash aur Parampara - Jyoti se Jyoti Jalayen". It has seven zones: Kala Angan, Prakash Chowk, Puja Path, Sajawat Bazaar, Gharana, Swad Chowk and Manch. Visitors find handicrafts, handloom products, traditional textiles, festive decorations, lamps and home décor across more than 130 stalls.
What the minister said
Athawale said the mela links traditional artisans with consumers and builds livelihoods. The ministry has held Shilp Samagam Melas since 2022, and more than 1,000 artisans from Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes and Safai Karamchari communities have benefited. Artisans get free stalls, travel expenses, daily allowances and transport for their goods.
A senior ministry official said sales had been encouraging since the mela opened.
Photos
Source: official release by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, issued through the Press Information Bureau, Government of India (06 NOV 2026 8:38PM by PIB Delhi). Read the full official text: Union Minister of State Shri Ramdas Athawale Visits Shilp Samagam Mela 2026 at Dilli Haat, INA.
How we verified this
VerifiedEvery fact, figure and quotation is taken from the official PIB release (Release ID 2333799) issued by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment on 06 NOV 2026 8:38PM by PIB Delhi; checked against the source on publication. Story written by BDT from that release; no outside facts added.
Sources
- 1.Union Minister of State Shri Ramdas Athawale Visits Shilp Samagam Mela 2026 at Dilli Haat, INA — Press Information Bureau, Government of India
