SAS Nagar, February 4, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjab Rural Development & Panchayat and Tourism & Cultural Affairs Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond, along with former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister and AAP Punjab In-charge Manish Sisodia, today formally inaugurated Mohali Carnival: Punjab Sakhi Shakti Mela at the SARAS Mela Ground, Sector-88, Mohali.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond said that the Punjab Sakhi Shakti Mela is aimed at empowering rural women Self Help Groups (SHGs) and women entrepreneurs by providing them a strong government-level marketing platform. He said that women SHGs manufacture a wide range of high-quality, organic and traditional products but often lack large-scale marketing opportunities.
To bridge this gap, the Punjab State Rural Livelihood Mission (PSRLM) under the Rural Development & Panchayat Department, in collaboration with the Industry & Commerce Department, is organizing such events.
Expressing pride, the Minister highlighted that nearly 90 percent of the stalls are being managed by women, showcasing their confidence, dedication and entrepreneurial spirit.
He added that earlier governments paid little attention to promoting Punjab’s rich culture and grassroots entrepreneurship, but under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the budget for organizing melas has been enhanced from Rs 5 crore to Rs 70 crore.
Minister Sond said that the Mann Government inherited challenges such as drugs, corruption and gangsterism from previous regimes, but has established good governance through initiatives like Aam Aadmi Clinics, Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana (cashless treatment up to Rs 10 lakh), Schools of Eminence, Yudh Nasheyan Virudh, and jobs on merit. He reiterated the government’s resolve to transform Punjab into a “Rangla Punjab.”
Manish Sisodia, while addressing the gathering, said that during his visit to the stalls, he witnessed the strong determination and resilience of Punjab’s women entrepreneurs, who are scripting inspiring success stories through sheer hard work while overcoming numerous challenges.
He said that these women efficiently balance household responsibilities alongside their entrepreneurial ventures, thereby strengthening their families financially.
He added that they are not only earning livelihoods for themselves but are also uplifting others by forming self-help groups and raising overall economic standards.
He further said that the women entrepreneurs he interacted with had endured many hardships but remained steadfast in achieving their goals and dreams.
The Sakhi Shakti Mela, he said, provides them with a wide platform to showcase their business skills to the country and the world. Remarking that the vision of ‘Rangla Punjab’ has a vast canvas, he said that these women are bringing it alive through their inspirational journeys and leadership qualities, guiding their groups towards financial independence.
During a special award ceremony, women achievers were honored for their contributions:
Best Punjab Women SHG Award – Rs 35,000 to Smt. Rimpi Kaur
Women Entrepreneur Shakti Award – Rs 25,000 to Smt. Bandana Bhardwaj
Shaskat Udami Award – Rs 10,000 each to Smt. Dimple, Smt. Kamani Devi, and Smt. Avneet Kaur.
Additionally, a Renewable/Solar Energy Innovation Competition for women was announced, offering financial assistance up to Rs 25 lakh with support from GIZ India (Germany) in collaboration with PSRLM.
The cultural programme featured vibrant performances by students from Sri Sukhmani School, Derabassi; Government High School, Daun; School of Eminence Phase-3B-1; and Shiwalik Public School, Mohali. The Punjab Sakhi Shakti Mela will continue till February 10.
Among those present were MLA Dr. Amandeep Kaur Arora, Gurpreet Singh GP (President, SC Wing AAP Punjab), Seema Bansal (Vice Chairperson, Punjab Development Commission), Dr. Shena Aggarwal (Joint Development Commissioner, MGNREGA), Prabhjot Kaur (Chairperson, District Development Committee), Sonam Chaudhary (ADC Rural Development), Gurmit Singh Sohi (CM Field Officer), DDPO Parambeer Kaur, DEO Ginni Duggal, and Rupali Tandon (PSRLM).
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