Textiles Minister, Smriti Zubin Irani distributed ‘Pahchan’ identity cards to artisans of five clusters of Gujarat, namely Jamnagar, Naroda, Surendranagar, Amreli and Kalol, at the inaugural ceremony of the Thematic Exhibition on Handicrafts at Ahmedabad.

It may be mentioned that the camp for ‘Pahchan’ was launched on 7th October, 2016 nationwide, to ensure a unique identity to the handicraft artisans of the nation. Benefits like easy loan, insurance, credit guarantee, and life insurance and Rs. 1,200 per year for the artisan’s children studying between class IX and class XII will available to the artisans. It will enable them to avail benefits of the schemes run by Government of India and to participate in any domestic/international fair/event.

Being promoted and marketed through Council of Handicrafts Development Corporations (COHANDS), with financial assistance from the ministry of textiles, Govt. of India, the fair has been conceptualized with a view to provide a direct marketing platform for innovative products developed by 20 handicrafts artisans from various parts of India, covering different crafts like tie & dye, patchwork, embroidery & jewellery.

Nirmalaben Wadhwani, minister of state for women and child development, Gujarat; Kirit Premjibhai Solanki, member of parliament, Ahmedabad West; and Alok Kumar, development commissioner (Handicrafts), ministry of textiles also marked their presence at the fair.

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