Union Minister for Rural Development and Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, inaugurated the Saras Aajeevika Food Festival 2025 today at Sunder Nursery, Nizamuddin, New Delhi. The event was also graced by the Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt. Annapurna Devi.
Speaking at the inauguration, Shri Chouhan celebrated the achievements of the Lakhpati Didis, stating that they have proved themselves to be “repositories of immense strength,” who have written new chapters of progress, development and prosperity through their hard work. He noted that many of these women, representing 25 states, are now guiding others nationwide with their skills and dedication.
Welcoming the Lakhpati Didis to the national capital, the Minister highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to women-led development. He emphasized that the Ministry of Rural Development is consistently working toward ensuring that no woman remains in poverty, but instead moves ahead with dignity, skill and self-reliance. “No sister should remain poor or dependent; instead, she should advance on the strength of her talent and hard work,” he said.
Shri Chouhan added that India’s cultural and linguistic diversity is reflected beautifully in the festival. “Here, confidence shines in the eyes of these hardworking women, who are ready to soar toward prosperity,” he remarked. Describing the festival as a fusion of taste, self-reliance and Swadeshi, he invited people to experience the unique flavours prepared by women from across the country. “Our dishes carry not only taste but also the wisdom of mothers, traditions of grandmothers and memories of the soil,” he added.
A Platform for Women’s Empowerment and Livelihoods
The Saras Aajeevika Food Festival has emerged as a major platform under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM), offering rural women—especially Lakhpati Didis—market exposure and recognition. The festival aims to strengthen economic empowerment, expand self-employment opportunities and inspire rural women through peer success stories.
Cuisines from 25 States; Festival Open Till December 9
Women from 25 states are presenting more than 500 traditional dishes across 62 food stalls. The festival is open to the public until 9 December, from 11:30 AM to 9:30 PM daily.
A Showcase of Indian Culinary Diversity
The variety of dishes includes Himachali Siddu, Uttarakhand’s Tandoor Chai, Jammu & Kashmir’s Kalari Kulcha, Hyderabadi Dum Biryani, Northeastern Momos, Bengali fried fish, Rajasthan’s Ker Sangri and Gatte ki Sabzi, Bajra roti, Hilsa curry, Telangana chicken, Malabar biryani, Bihar’s Litti-Chokha and Punjab’s Sarson da Saag-Makke di Roti. With participation from Haryana, Arunachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Goa, Kerala, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and more, the festival reflects India’s cultural richness and social diversity.
Connecting Visitors with Rural Products and Traditions
In addition to food stalls, the festival features displays of natural and rural products, enabling visitors to understand village economies, crafts and social structures. Saras Aajeevika Food Festival continues to serve as an effective platform showcasing rural India’s heritage, self-reliance and the leadership of women-led livelihood models.
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