Guntur to Host Articles of Rural Artisans ‘Mini India’ Exhibition from January 3

The SARAS (Sale of Articles of Rural Artisans Society) – Mini India Exhibition will be held in Guntur from January 3 to January 15, 2026 , Union Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani said on Friday.

The exhibition will take place at the Green Leaf Tobacco Threshold premises near Manipuram Bridge on Kakani Road . The Minister, who is also the Member of Parliament from Guntur , reviewed the arrangements at a meeting held at the Guntur Collectorate on Friday.

Dr. Pemmasani said the exhibition would serve as a national platform to showcase India’s cultural diversity, rural craftsmanship and traditional livelihoods . He described SARAS as a “Mini India” initiative bringing together artisans and performers from across the country.

More than 600 handloom weavers, handicraft artisans and cultural performers from Andhra Pradesh and other states are expected to participate. Over 250 stalls will be set up, displaying and selling a wide range of products, including handloom sarees, shawls, carpets and bedsheets; bamboo, metal and glass artefacts; jewellery; home décor items; and traditional and organic food products.

The exhibition is being organised by the Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP) in association with the Guntur District Rural Development Agency (DRDA). The Minister said the main objective of SARAS is to provide market access to products made by women from Self-Help Groups (SHGs), helping to enhance their incomes and strengthen rural livelihoods. Around 600 women from SHGs are expected to participate.

Emphasising sustainability, Dr. Pemmasani said the event should be organised as a plastic-free and environment-friendly exhibition , with proper sanitation and waste management . He also called for wide publicity and effective branding to give the event national visibility.

The exhibition will also feature cultural programmes and live demonstrations, enabling visitors to experience the art, traditions and food cultures of different Indian states.

The Minister instructed officials to ensure fire safety measures, traffic management, and uninterrupted mobile and WiFi connectivity, as a large public turnout is expected.

Participating via video conference from New Delhi, the Rural Development Department official said the exhibition would offer visitors a comprehensive “Mini India” experience. The District Collector assured full support from the district administration for the smooth conduct of the event.