Handicrafts

New cottage and rural industries policy to create 1.2 mn jobs in Gujarat

The Gujarat government announced on Wednesday its new cottage and rural industries policy, offering higher loans and subsidies to artisans and entrepreneurs to set up units in the state. Minister of Cottage Industries Balwantsinh Rajput, who unveiled the policy in Gandhinagar, said it will facilitate the creation of nearly 12 lakh jobs over five years. The new policy was introduced after the five-year validity of the previous scheme ended, an official release said. The New Cottage Policy 2024, which will remain in force for five years, aims to develop a self-sustaining cottage industry sector and open the doors of local and international markets for artisans, the minister said. Under the policy, the state will work towards the availability of credit and market support to artisans and focus on infrastructure, skill, technology upgrades and innovation, Rajput said. To encourage new industries and businesses, the state government has increased the maximum loan amount under this schem

Govt launches digi platform to empower artisans from marginalised sections

Union Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Virendra Kumar on Tuesday inaugurated a digital platform dedicated to enhancing market access for artisans from the marginalised communities, including SCs, STs, OBCs, safai karmacharis, Persons with Disabilities and minority communities. Launched under the guidance of the National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC) and the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, the platform called Tulip aims to connect India's skilled artisans with both domestic and global markets. Speaking at the launch of Tulip during the Shilp Samagam Mela held at Dilli Haat, the Union minister emphasised the government's commitment to fostering financial independence among India's traditional craft workers. "Our aim is to bring people from the marginalised communities, including SCs and safai karamcharis, into the mainstream. We are working towards their empowerment, making them aatmanirbhar (self-reliant)," he said, adding the ...

Over 100 overseas buyers throng handicraft, gift fair at India Expo Mart

Buyers from more than 100 overseas countries are visiting the 58th IHGF Delhi Fair with over 3,000 exhibitors showcasing handicraft items like housewares, furniture, gifts and decor, lighting and leather bags. The five-day event, which will end on October 20, is being organised at the India Expo Centre & Mart on the Greater Noida Expressway. Buyers from over 103 countries, including Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Panama, Peru, the Philippines, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, the UAE, the UK and the US, have pre-registered to visit the fair. At the inauguration ceremony, Suresh Khanna, Minister for Finance and Parliamentary Affairs in the Uttar Pradesh government, said it is a "great opportunity for ODOP (one district one product) manufacturers from the state to showcase their products as well as artisans and exporters from all across the country to ..

E-auction of over 600 gifts, mementoes received by PM Modi commences

Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said that the e-auction allows individuals to not only preserve history but also contribute to the greater good

National Handloom Day: 5 Indian hand embroidery crafts you need to know

National Handloom Day 2024: From Aari to Kantha, Indian embroidery has been creating fashion trends for centuries. Here are the 5 Indian hand embroidery crafts you should know about

Rajasthan govt plans a boost for its artisans in handicrafts, MSME sectors

Cluster development schemes are being run by various central government ministries such as MSME, textiles, food processing, information and technology, and commerce and industry to support MSMEs

J-K's tableau showcases handicraft, saffron cultivation at Bharat Parv 2024

The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has presented its tableau in 'Bharat Parv 2024' at Red Fort in New Delhi, encapsulating its developmental leaps and rich cultural tapestry with a focus on its handicraft industry and saffron cultivation. The nine-day Bharat Parv, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, is being organised by the Ministry of Tourism from January 23-31. As part of the event, seven Republic Day tableaux showcasing different cultural tropes from Karnataka, Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Assam, Tripura, and Jammu and Kashmir are on display at the fort's lawns. The front section of the tableau presented by Jammu and Kashmir brought to life the legend of Raja Jambu Lochan with a poignant depiction of a tiger and a goat drinking water together, symbolising the harmonious inception of Jammu city, an official spokesperson said. This scene also heralds the newly inaugurated Jambu Zoo, the first full-fledged zoo in the UT, a haven for wildlife set amids

Govt to invest Rs 1,000 cr in handloom, handicraft sector in 5 years

An investment of Rs 1,000 crore is expected in the handloom and handicraft sector over the next four to five years, a senior official of the Union Textiles Ministry said on Thursday. Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, Amrit Raj said there are around 35 lakh artisans across the country and the government wants to do much more for the sector. She made the remarks during a visit to 'HGH India', a bi-annual trade show for home, gifts, and houseware, at the India Expo Mart and Centre in Greater Noida. "In the DC Handicrafts office, we are spending around Rs 300 crore a year on the sector. It's a huge sector. Though we try to give end-to-end support, we also try to focus more on the marketing component and the design innovation component because the artisans are skilled and they know their job," Raj said. "The only challenge is how to make it more market-friendly, like identifying the changing trends and changing needs of today's consumers. So, average that out

PM launches Aatmanirbhar Bharat Centre for Design to promote local crafts

A centre to promote indigenous crafts of India and contribute to sustainable cultural economy with a vision to achieve self-reliance was launched here by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday. The Aatmanirbhar Bharat Centre for Design (ABCD) has been named 'Project Aatman'. It is housed in a colonial-era barrack on the premises of the Red Fort complex in Delhi. The centre was inaugurated along with the maiden India Art, Architecture & Design Biennale (IAADB), which will be open to the public from December 9-15. Modi launched the centre with a click of a button from a dais set up in temporary pavilion at the venue. Project Aatman is helmed by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), which comes under the purview of the Ministry of Culture. The IGNCA has "set up the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Centre for Design (ABCD) to pave the way for a sustainable cultural economy derived from the indigenous crafts of India by empowering the artisan communities with new designs and ...

Handicraft exports from Rajasthan likely to surge over 10% this year

It exports blue pottery mainly to the Middle East and America, and miniature paintings and wooden handicraft items to the US and Europe

Reliance Retail to open luxury stores under 'Swadesh' brand globally

These stores will focus on upscale ethnic handicrafts, fusion clothing, jewellery, blue pottery, silverware, home decor, and carpets

Artists given platform to progress under ODOP, VSSY programs: UP CM Yogi

The Vishwakarma Yojana' is a scheme that benefits individuals skilled in traditional craftsmanship

Himachal State Handloom and Handicraft Corp to be renamed as Himcraft

Himachal Pradesh State Handicraft and Handloom Corporation Limited will be renamed as Himcraft Corporation, chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Monday. The chief minister announced the new name for the state handloom corporation while presiding over a function organized to mark the 9th National Handloom Day here. The rebranding is intended to enhance the functioning of the corporation and promote its products as a distinct brand in the market. State government-owned Himachal Pradesh State Handicrafts and Handloom Corporation was set up in 1974 to assist artisans and weavers in skill development and growth, procurement of raw materials and marketing of products. Chamba Rumaal (handkerchief), miniature painting, metal craft, Himachali caps are some of the products promoted by the corporation. In a statement issued here, Sukhu said that the government is also mulling to introduce state-level awards for artisans in the handicraft industry. The awards would be in three categ

Mobile app launched to promote products made by women in self-help groups

The eSARAS mobile app now enables customers to easily access the handmade products created by SHG members

Handicraft exports likely to fall 6-8% in FY24 amid global market slump

Indian handicraft exports may witness a 6-8 per cent decline this fiscal to USD 3.3 billion, mainly due to a spending slowdown in global markets, a report said on Monday. A slowdown in discretionary spending in key global markets will drag the largely export-oriented Indian handicraft industry by 6-8 per cent lower to USD 3.3 billion this fiscal, after a decline of 20 per cent in FY23, Crisil Ratings said in a report. "Amid the slowdown in key export markets, Indian handicraft exporters will face increased competition from their Chinese counterparts post easing of Covid-19 curbs in China. Handicraft exporters will rely on lower pricing and extended credit to counter subdued demand, which may pull down operating profitability by 200-250 basis points to 12 per cent," Crisil Ratings Director Rahul Guha said. The industry derives almost 60 per cent of its sales from the US and EU, which are battling high inflation and recession fears. Together, these two regions make up a market of mor

Himachal govt to rebrand State Handicrafts Corporation as 'Him-Craft': CM

The Himachal government is all set to rebrand the State Handicrafts and Handloom Corporation Ltd as 'Him-Craft', Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Saturday. Branding is crucial for any product and the new brand name will help in promoting and branding all handicrafts and handloom products made by artisans and weavers of the state. The move is aimed at increasing the income of artisans and expanding their customer base for economic growth and greater financial stability, a statement issued here said. This will ensure authenticity, enhance customer satisfaction and build trust for the state's handicrafts and handloom products, Sukhu said adding that the new trade name will be reflected in all official documents, including business cards, letterheads, email signatures and the official website, consolidating all handloom and handicrafts products under a single umbrella brand. The Handloom and Handicraft products made by the artisans of Himachal are in great demand in the ..

Record growth in handicraft, handloom sector in J&K in 3 months: LG Sinha

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday said the handicraft and handloom sector of the Union Territory has recorded an unprecedented growth in the last three months and registered Rs 729 crore worth exports despite instability in the global market. Sinha's remarks came at a function here where he presented the Union Territory-level award to the artisans. The Lt Governor congratulated all the award winners for their commendable service to preserve and promote priceless cultural and artistic heritage. He said the administration has taken several important steps to boost handicraft and handloom sector. "We are committed to provide training, design, technology, financial and other infrastructure support that will significantly contribute to the growth of this sector and earnings of artisans," he added. Sinha said an "unprecedented" growth has been recorded in the last three months and this sector has registered Rs 729 crore worth exports despite the instability i

Handicraft far superior than machine-made products, exports rising: Goyal

Piyush Goyal said that the country's handicraft exports have been rising steadily and were far superior than any machine-made products

Bihar to sign MoU with ICCR to showcase its soft power to world: Official

The Bihar government will sign an MoU with the ICCR to help artists from the state, handicrafts and several other ethnic arts to get international exposure, an official said. The Art and Culture Department of the state government will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) in this regard on November 11, Secretary, Art and Culture Department of Bihar government, Bandana Preyashi said. The department is now preparing a calendar of live art and heritage performances to be held worldwide in the coming months after this MoU, she said. "This MoU will help artists from Bihar, handicrafts and several other ethnic arts of the state to get international exposure", Preyashi told PTI on Wednesday. The Art and Culture department secretary said this MoU will help Bihar to send group of artists to other countries as part of cultural exchange initiative by the Central and the state government. Similarly, cultural troupes from other countries

Rajasthan govt plans to generate 50,000 jobs in handicraft sector

Rajasthan has about 600,000 craftsmen and artisans