Punjab launches Sakhi Shakti Melas in 23 districts to promote women’s entrepreneurship, handicrafts, handlooms, organic products, and cultural heritage.
Tarunpreet Singh Sond, Punjab’s Minister for Rural Development and Panchayats, declared that “Punjab Sakhi Shakti Melas” will be held in every district of the state to give women a lively stage on which to display their abilities, inventiveness, and handcrafted goods. Today, November 26, the inaugural mela in Sangrur began at the Ranbir College Ground and will run through November 30.
The Department of Industries and Commerce, the Punjab State Rural Livelihood Mission, and the Department of Rural Development and Panchayats are working together to conduct these melas.
The “Punjab Sakhi Shakti Melas” will take place in 23 districts from November 26, 2025, in Sangrur, to February 2026. Handicrafts, handloom clothing, Phulkari, home décor, organic food, honey, spices, detergents, phenyl, and other necessities for the home will all be available at the melas. Throughout the event, a variety of food vendors will also draw guests.
According to Sond, the goal of these melas is to provide women Self-Help Group (SHG) members more market access to the goods they make, enabling them to earn more money. Additionally, the program will establish direct connections between rural producers and urban consumers. These melas will also showcase Punjab’s rich cultural legacy by giving the public a close-up look at Punjabi handicrafts, artwork, and organic produce.
He continued by saying that the Punjab government’s initiative will help maintain and advance the state’s cultural identity in addition to bolstering women’s economic empowerment.
Specific Locations and Times for the Melas
From November 26 to 30, 2025, Ranbir College Ground will host the Sangrur mela. The Officers’ Club in Sadik, Faridkot, will host the mela from December 8–11, 2025. The mela will take place in Bathinda from December 4–7, 2025, at the PUDA Ground by Power House, and in Amritsar from December 8–11, 2025, at the Dussehra Ground, Ranjit Avenue.
From December 11 to 14, 2025, the mela will be held in Tarn Taran. From December 15 to 18, 2025, the event will be held in Gurdaspur at the Old Bus Stand. From December 26 to 30, 2025, Pratap Bagh will host Fazilka’s mela. From January 7–10, 2026, the mela in Jalandhar will take place at Virsa Vihar/Desh Bhagat Yadgar. Sri Muktsar Sahib at Guru Gobind Singh Ji Ground will host from January 14 to 17, 2026, while Moga will host from January 10 to 13.
Similarly, Kapurthala will host its mela at the New DC Complex from January 19 to 22, 2026, while Ferozepur will host its mela at SBS College from January 16 to 19. The mela will take place at Ramlila Ground in Pathankot from January 5–8, 2026. The event is scheduled for January 10–14, 2026, at Sector 88 of Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar (Mohali). Rupnagar (Anandpur Sahib) will host its mela from February 2 to February 5, 2026, while Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar will host at the ITI Dussehra Ground from February 3 to 6. From January 27 to 30, 2026, the mela will take place at Fatehgarh Sahib, next to Mata Gujri College.
From January 28 to January 31, 2026, Barnala will host the event at Dana Mandi, and from January 28 to January 31, 2026, Malerkotla will host it at the district-level location. The mela in Ludhiana (Khanna) is set for January 10–14, 2026, and the New Grain Market in Mansa will hold it from February 13–23, 2026. Hoshiarpur will wrap off the series with its event at Lajwant Stadium from March 10 to 13, 2026, while Patiala will have its mela at Sheesh Mahal from February 26 to March 2, 2026.