Bhubaneswar : The Amrit Mitra Festival 2026 has become a national platform to recognize and celebrate the outstanding contributions of urban women in India. The festival highlights the critical role of women-led self-help groups (SHGs) in water quality testing, urban sanitation, tree plantation, and the maintenance of public spaces under the government’s Women for Trees initiative.
Shri Sanket Bhondwe, Urban Administration and Development Commissioner, stated that the department is committed to empowering urban women economically and socially. In 55 urban local bodies of Madhya Pradesh, 1,028 women across 312 self-help groups have been entrusted as “Amrit Mitras” to undertake important civic responsibilities, including monitoring water quality and safeguarding newly planted trees.
National Gathering of Amrit Mitras
The Amrit Mitra Festival 2026, organized under the AMRUT 2.0 initiative by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, will see participation from approximately 300 women from Madhya Pradesh. Additionally, women Amrit Mitras from states such as Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan will join, showcasing a truly pan-India collaboration.
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Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Shri Manohar Lal Khattar, will honor women who have demonstrated exceptional performance in urban management, sanitation, and water conservation. The Amrit Mitra Festival not only recognizes excellence but also reinforces the concept of sustainable urban development through women’s leadership.
Recognizing Excellence and Leadership
Shri Bhondwe congratulated all the participating Amrit Mitras and wished them a bright future. He emphasized that the Amrit Mitra Festival serves as a model of active participation and leadership by women in urban governance. The Commissioner expressed confidence that Madhya Pradesh’s women would effectively present the state’s innovations and best practices on the national stage, inspiring other states to replicate successful initiatives.
The festival highlights the transformative role of women in India’s urban development, making it an exemplary event that combines recognition, empowerment, and sustainable urban solutions.