Easier credit, promotion can revive handicraft sector: Prez

Asserting that the country's handicraft industry is up against "significant" challenges, President Pranab Mukherjee today said concerted measures, including easier credit access and product promotion, are needed to boost the sector.
"The handicraft industry in India is highly fragmented and the sector has been facing significant challenges, mainly due to lack of design innovation and technology upgradation, scarcity of raw material, inadequate finance and increased competition from mills and factory-made products," Mukherjee said at the Shilp Guru and National Awards function here.
"To provide a fillip to this sector, it is necessary that we take concerted steps at various levels. These may include facilitation of easier access to credit from banks and other financial institutions and promotion of these products in domestic and foreign markets."

The function was organised to felicitate artisans for their contribution to handicraft.
Mukherjee suggested: "Universities, corporate houses, government departments can contribute by sponsoring and also undertaking research, which results in new and innovative technologies that will enable upgradation of traditional tools and designs of local artisans."
The President said the plan to set up a Hastakala Academy is a welcome step in this direction, emphasising on the need to revive village handicraft.

"We have to revive our village handicraft. If we impart scholastic training from those craft, we can bring about a revolution," Mukherjee said.
He also outlined a major component of the new approach being adopted by the government to promote handicraft -- developing and strengthening marketing linkages through direct sales, participation in sales expos and e-commerce.

"Our indigenous handicraft is a cherished aspect of the Indian way of life. Their extensive range reflects our nation's diversity and infinite creativity," he added.
Twenty-One Shilp Guru Awards and 59 National Awards were given away to master craftspersons for 2012, 2013 and 2014, including 16 women awardees.
Mukherjee hailed their efforts, saying the awards are "a recognition of the outstanding contribution of our artisans".
Exports of handicraft excluding hand-made carpets constituted 11 per cent of the total exports in 2014-15, which grew to Rs 27,747 crore, from Rs 23,504 crore in 2013-14.
"Various schemes for development of the handicraft sector have been reviewed and a comprehensive National Handicraft Development programme has been launched, which emphasises on an integrated approach for development of handicraft cluster in a holistic manner," said the President.

The Shilp Guru Awards, National Awards and National Merit Certificate are awarded to craftspersons only once in a lifetime to encourage them to maintain excellence and keeping alive the old tradition.