Why in news?
The 2025 edition of Shilp Samagam Mela began on September 5 and is running till September 14 at Freedom Park, Bengaluru, Karnataka. It is organized by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
 
Overview and Objectives

• The mela showcases a wide variety of handcrafted products such as metalwork, wooden artifacts, cane and bamboo products, pottery, textiles, jewelry, leather goods, and handloom crafts.
• It emphasizes economic empowerment and social inclusion of artisans from Scheduled Castes (SC), Other Backward Classes (OBC), Safai Mitras (sanitation workers), Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-nomadic tribes, and persons with disabilities.
• The mela acts as a platform where these artisans can sell their products directly to urban and international audiences, fostering their livelihood and preserving India’s cultural legacy.
• It embodies the government's ‘Vocal for Local’ initiative by promoting indigenous crafts.

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