New Delhi: The Saras Pavilion at the 44th India International Trade Fair (IITF) has emerged as one of the strongest crowd-pullers this year, with nearly 300 Lakhpati Didis from across the country exhibiting their work at around 150 stalls in Halls 8, 9 and 10 of Bharat Mandapam.
The pavilion offers a vibrant mix of handlooms, handicrafts, traditional artworks and locally made products representing 31 states and Union Territories — turning the space into a lively snapshot of “miniature India”.
Visitors are being drawn not only to the diversity on display but also to the stories of women who have built sustainable livelihoods through skill, enterprise and community support.
Many of the participating Lakhpati Didis credited government schemes for helping them gain financial independence and market access.
Alisha from Meghalaya said the initiative had opened doors she once thought were out of reach. Gujarat’s Nirmala Ben, upbeat about her progress, said the IITF platform had strengthened her resolve to aim higher.
“I have become a Lakhpati. Now I’m preparing to become a Crorepati Didi,” she said.
Nagaland’s Mispi Salha, showcasing locally crafted items, said the exposure had helped her understand the market value of her work.
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“We make so many things, but we never had the right channels to sell them. Being here showed us how much demand there really is,” she added.
From Assam, Monila, who brought her team’s handloom products, said the fair provides national-level visibility they never had before.
For many like her, the experience is not just about sales — it is about recognition, confidence and the promise of a stronger future.
For Lakhpati Didi Babita Bhandari, the platform has been transformative.
“This fair is boosting the confidence and dignity of sisters like us,” she said, echoing the sentiment shared across the pavilion.
