Archive · 9 Jan 2026
Women Empowerment Initiatives Highlighted in Andhra Pradesh
A big event called Saras Mela 2026 was held in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh.
The Chief Minister, N Chandrababu Naidu, talked about how a program called DWCRA has helped women become financially independent.
He said that women have saved a lot of money and taken loans to start their own businesses.
The event was like a mini India with lots of stalls selling traditional things.
The government also gave money to women's groups and helped them get loans.
The Chief Minister bought a saree for his wife and even gave money to a woman who needed help for her husband's medical treatment.
The event was to show how women can be strong and successful.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu inaugurated Saras Mela 2026 in Guntur, highlighting the success of the DWCRA initiative in women's economic empowerment.
DWCRA women in Andhra Pradesh have mobilised savings of Rs 26,000 crore and built a corpus fund of Rs 5,200 crore.
During 2024–25, DWCRA groups accessed bank loans worth Rs 46,590 crore.
The government distributed cheques worth Rs 1,375 crore to DWCRA groups under Stree Nidhi and facilitated Rs 2,171 crore in loans through SERP.
Naidu praised women for their timely loan repayment and their role in achieving financial independence and creating market linkages for women entrepreneurs.
- Who
- Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, DWCRA women, Union Minister Pemmasani Chandrasekhar
- What
- Inauguration of Saras Mela 2026 and discussion on DWCRA's achievements
- When
- Thursday
- Where
- Guntur, Andhra Pradesh
- Why
- To highlight the success of DWCRA in women's economic empowerment and to promote traditional handicrafts, handlooms, and local food products
Government and Supporters
Critics (if any)
Effectiveness of DWCRA
Government and Supporters
The government and supporters highlight the success of DWCRA in empowering women economically and socially, citing significant savings and loan achievements.
Critics (if any)
Critics may argue that the benefits are not evenly distributed or that more needs to be done to support women in rural areas.
- Event
- Saras Mela 2026
- Location
- Guntur, Andhra Pradesh
- Date
- Thursday
- Speakers
- Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Union Minister Pemmasani Chandrasekhar
- DWCRA Savings
- Rs 26,000 crore
- DWCRA Corpus Fund
- Rs 5,200 crore
- Bank Loans Accessed (2024–25)
- Rs 46,590 crore
- DWCRA Members
- 89 lakh
- Mepma Associations Members
- 24 lakh
- Micro and MSME Entrepreneurs
- 93,000
- Talliki Vandanam Annual Deposit
- Rs 10,090 crore
- Stree Nidhi Cheques Distributed
- Rs 1,375 crore
- Loans Facilitated through SERP
- Rs 2,171 crore
