image credits: missionshaktiodisha
Bhubaneswar is hosting an extraordinary event that emphasizes its commitment to women’s empowerment, The Subhadra Shakti Mela Odisha 2025 is a vibrant testament to the entrepreneurial prowess of Odisha’s women. Organized by the Mission Shakti department, this nine-day fair promises to spotlight the creativity, skills, and determination of women from self-help groups (SHGs) across the state. The Subhadra Shakti Mela Odisha is poised to showcase the state’s achievements in empowering its women. With over 98 lakh women already benefiting from the Subhadra Yojana scheme. This event builds on that legacy, offering a platform for SHGs to display their products and connect with markets.
Subhadra Shakti Mela Odisha 2025: Venue and Dates
The Subhadra Shakti Mela Odisha will unfold at Janata Maidan, a beloved open space in Bhubaneswar where communities come together to celebrate life. This warm and welcoming venue invites everyone to join in from February 22 to March 2, 2025, offering ample time for attendees to explore the diverse offerings and engage with the SHG members. This nine-day span reflects Odisha’s deep commitment to its women, giving artisans from all 30 districts a chance to shine. It’s a heartfelt gathering that ensures every visitor feels the spirit of empowerment among themselves.
Highlights of Subhadra Shakti Mela Odisha
The Subhadra Shakti Mela is set to be a bustling hub of activity, featuring over 300 stalls where more than 700 SHGs will showcase upwards of 200 unique products. These items range from traditional handicrafts, terracotta, and bamboo crafts to handwoven textiles, organic foods, spices, and millet-based delicacies. This diverse array highlights the artisans’ skills as well as promotes sustainable and organic living.
Beyond the stalls, the mela will serve as a networking platform, connecting rural women entrepreneurs with buyers, businesses, and market leaders. This initiative is designed to foster long-term market linkages, enabling SHGs to scale their operations and boost their incomes. The event also ties into the national “Lakhpati Didi” vision, with Odisha aiming to create 25 lakh financially independent women entrepreneurs in the next three years. For the financial year 2024-25 alone, more than three lakh SHGs will receive interest relief worth ₹300 crore on bank loans up to ₹10 lakh.
Voices of Inspiration at Subhadra Shakti Mela Odisha
This Mela will be graced by prominent figures. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated the fair on February 22, 2025. His participation highlights the state government’s unwavering support for women’s empowerment, a priority he has emphasized by allocating ₹10,145 crore for the Subhadra scheme in the upcoming financial year. Joining him will be Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, who also serves as the Minister for Women and Child Development, Mission Shakti, and Tourism.
She has been a vocal advocate for the mela, describing it as a “cluster of shakti” and a transformative step for Odisha’s women. Another key attendee is Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment and Energy, whose presence reinforces the event’s alignment with broader developmental goals. Senior officials from the Odisha government will also attend, ensuring the mela’s smooth execution.
How The Mela is a Boost to Women Empowerement?
Odisha’s strides in women’s empowerment are quantifiable and remarkable. The Subhadra Yojana, hailed as the largest economic initiative in the state’s history, has already transformed lives by providing financial aid to over 98 lakh women. The Subhadra Shakti Mela Odisha builds on this foundation, offering a tangible platform for SHGs to thrive. With revolving funds for SHGs doubled from ₹15,000 to ₹30,000 per group and community investment funds for gram panchayat-level federations increased from ₹35 lakh to ₹60 lakh, the state is laying a robust financial framework for its women entrepreneurs.
The mela also symbolizes Odisha’s cultural richness. By showcasing products rooted in tradition, such as handlooms and organic goods, the mela also symbolizes Odisha’s cultural richness, empowering women to preserve heritage while embracing modernity. Plans to introduce additional schemes under the Subhadra platform, including Kishori Subhadra, Subhadra Sanchay, and Subhadra Sakhi, signal a long-term commitment to this cause.
