Social Justice Minister Proposes Shilp Samagam Fairs in State Capitals During Festive Seasons
Union Minister Virendra Kumar calls for expanding the initiative during festive seasons to provide traditional artisans with wider market access and economic opportunities.
NEW DELHI, Nov 2: Union Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Virendra Kumar has proposed organising Shilp Samagam fairs in state capitals during festive seasons to expand market opportunities and strengthen the livelihoods of traditional artisans.
Addressing the inauguration of Shilp Samagam Mela 2026 at Dilli Haat on Monday, Kumar called for extending the initiative to more parts of the country, particularly to benefit artisans from Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes and sanitation worker communities.
He urged officials of the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities and four national corporations supporting the fairs to work towards expanding their reach.
Launched in 2022, Shilp Samagam has been organised 15 times across the country, benefiting more than 1,000 artisans from various target groups.
This year’s edition marks the first joint initiative of the two departments, with persons with disabilities participating through the Purple Fest.
The event is supported by the National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation, National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation, National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation, and National Divyangjan Finance and Development Corporation.
Kumar said organising the fairs in state capitals during festive periods would help more artisans connect with customers and create sustainable income opportunities.
The minister emphasised that traditional craftspeople and tribal communities should be active contributors to India’s economic and social progress rather than remain dependent solely on welfare assistance.
The ongoing fair features 133 stalls displaying handicrafts, textiles, home decor, food items, religious products and other goods brought by artisans from different states and Union territories.
A major attraction is Bharat TULIP, or the Traditional Artisans’ Upliftment Livelihood Programme, which seeks to connect products made by artisans from target communities with buyers in India and overseas through e-commerce platforms.
Products marketed under the Bharat TULIP brand are intended to gain greater visibility and access to online sales channels.
Kumar said the exhibition provides craftspeople with an opportunity to present their work directly to consumers and explore broader marketing avenues.
He also appealed to visitors to purchase goods directly from artisans, noting that such support would strengthen their livelihoods and help preserve India’s traditional crafts and cultural heritage.
The fair is being held from November 1 to 15 under the theme ‘Prakash aur Parampara – Jyoti Se Jyoti Jalayen’. It includes dedicated zones for traditional crafts, textiles and food products, along with cultural performances.
