The Indian Government has registered approximately Rs. 22.85 lakhs artisans under their initiative – Pahchan. In order to standardize and organised the Indian Handicrafts, 35 crafts have been identified as endangered crafts and 92 crafts have been registered under the Geographical Indication Act. Handicraft is an unorganized and diversified sector with an estimated 70 lakh artisans practising 32 broad crafts categories throughout the country.

For standardization of carpet, carpet rating scheme has been formulated, but handicraft items are mainly made by hands. The beauty of handicrafts lies in the artistic hands of the artisans and each handicraft product is different from other even if it is made by the same artisan using same raw material. The government has taken initiatives to establish the authenticity of handmade products. For this purpose, the scheme of handicraft mark has been conceptualized and handicraft mark for woodcraft is being formulated on a pilot basis.

Further to create awareness and celebrate the success of GI registered crafts, commemorative postage-stamp on five crafts namely Kutch Embroidery, Karnataka Bronzeware, Maddalam of Palakkad, Sikki Grass Product of Bihar and Blue Pottery of Jaipur was released on 31.12.2018.

Direct marketing portal for handicraft artisans has been launched to provide direct market access facility to genuine handicraft artisans including tribal artisans working in the far-flung areas. Any handicraft artisan registered under Pachchan can utilize this portal for marketing their products. Till date, 302 artisans have been registered on the portal. India Handmade Bazaar portal has been established by the Department itself. The digital marketplace is also in place.

The above updates on a government initiative to boost and uplift the Handicrafts industry in India. This information was given by the Minister of State of Textiles, Ajay Tamta, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha recently.

– Indian Apparel, Apparel Talk, Apparel and Textile News