Subhadra Shakti Mela 2025 Concludes with Record ₹12 Crore Sales, Showcasing Odisha’s Women Entrepreneurs

Bhubaneswar: The 12-day Subhadra Shakti Mela 2025, a vibrant celebration of women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship, concluded at the IDCO Exhibition Ground with remarkable success. Organised by the Mission Shakti Department, this year’s fair achieved record-breaking sales of over ₹12 crore, doubling last year’s business and underscoring the growing strength of women-led enterprises in Odisha.

The Mela brought together Self-Help Groups (SHGs) from all 30 districts, featuring over 300 stalls that showcased a diverse range of products — from handlooms, handicrafts, bamboo crafts, and forest produce to traditional foods, spices, and eco-friendly innovations. It served as both a marketplace and a platform for networking, collaboration, and learning among women entrepreneurs.

A major attraction was the food court managed by women groups, offering homemade delicacies and millet-based dishes that drew large crowds. The initiative not only revived traditional Odia cuisine but also promoted the integration of nutritious millets into everyday diets, aligning with the State’s ongoing millet promotion campaign.

To enhance visitor engagement, the fair included a children’s play area, cultural evenings, and recreational zones, culminating in a fashion show that highlighted Odisha’s handwoven textiles and traditional jewellery.

This year marked the participation of 69 SHGs in a state-level fair for the first time. Among the entrepreneurs, 328 women achieved ‘Lakhpati Didi’ status, while 10 became ‘Mahalakhpati Didis’, reflecting the economic transformation driven by Mission Shakti’s initiatives.

At the closing ceremony, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida praised the women’s entrepreneurial achievements, calling the Mela “a powerful platform to advance the Local to Global campaign.” She noted that the record sales represent not just economic growth but also growing consumer trust in SHG products.

Law, Works & Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan and Fisheries & Animal Resources Development Minister Gokulananda Mallik also attended, reaffirming the State Government’s commitment to strengthening market linkages and expanding opportunities for women entrepreneurs.

Mission Shakti Director Monika Priyadarshini welcomed the dignitaries, while Joint Secretary Mamata Barik proposed the vote of thanks.

A highlight of the evening was the felicitation ceremony, where outstanding SHGs and producer groups were honoured for excellence. The 69 first-time participants received certificates and cash prizes of ₹10,000 each, while 30 groups were recognized in 10 categories, including Best Food Stall, Best Handloom Stall, Best Innovative Product Stall, and Best Display Stall. Maa Mangala Chitrakar from Puri bagged the Best Stall Award, receiving a cash prize of ₹50,000 from the Deputy Chief Minister.

With more than five lakh visitors, the Subhadra Shakti Mela 2025 stood out as a grand celebration of women’s creativity, enterprise, and resilience. Building on this success, the Government of Odisha aims to help more women entrepreneurs access larger markets and move toward sustainable and independent livelihoods.