Page 82 - New Cloth Market December 2022 Digital Edition

NEWS BRIEFS

en in recognition of excellent craftsmanship and the ma-
Due to pandemic, the event couldn’t be organised physi-
jor role played by them in continuing craft as a vital part
cally.
of traditional heritage, it is also necessary to recognize
Mentioning the pandemic period when India outshined the product excellence keeping in view the global market
world by providing 3 billion vaccines to our people and trends.
this was supported by digital mapping of the vaccination
programme, he said that no country in the world can even Shri Goyal said that promotion of handicrafts not only
think of such an initiative. He also mentioned that ration ensures a balance between the traditional values and con-
to over 80 crore beneficiaries is also being provided since temporary outlook of a nation but also bestows shelter for
the first lockdown. skilful hands of the country. He also quoted Hon’ble PM
who said, “Handlooms & Handicrafts manifest India’s di-
Shri Dhankhar added that presidency of G20 indicates versity & the dexterity of countless weavers & artisans”.
that the world is listening to Hon’ble Prime Minister and The Union Minister said that India’s export of handicraft/
his vision. He said that he is confident that by end of the handloom is increasing. Also, our products are more sus-
decade India will become the third largest world econo- tainable than others.
my.
He said that under the leadership of PM, India has strived
Union Minister of Textiles, Consumer Affairs, Food and
that in 2047 during 100 years of Independence, the coun-
Public Distribution and Commerce & Industry, Shri Piy-
try will be a developed country and prosperous country.
ush Goyal said while delivering the address said that hand-
icraft handloom is a cornerstone for a self-reliant, confi- Hon’ble Vice President along with Shri Goyal released a
dent India that is engaging with the rest of the world. catalogue of the awardees in the presence of Smt. Rach-
He said that our shilpkar’s have, down the centuries, de- na Shah, Secretary Ministry of Textiles, Shri Shantmanu
veloped their own – often unique – methods and tech- Development Commissioner, Handicrafts and Ms Mudita
niques to bring life into stone, metal, sandalwood and clay. Mishra Addl. Development Commissioner (Handicrafts).
They had, a very long time ago, perfected scientific and
30 Shilp Guru Awards and 78 National Awards for the year
engineering processes far ahead of their times. Their cre-
2017, 2018 and 2019 were presented to master craftsper-
ations revealed their sophisticated knowledge and highly
sons, 36 of whom are women. The main objective of the
developed aesthetic sense. Production of handicraft items
awards is to give recognition for their excellence in crafts-
provides livelihood opportunities to lakhs of people living
manship and valuable contribution to Indian Handicrafts
in rural areas at a low capital investment, and has a good
and textiles sector.
domestic and international market, which forms parts of
the Indian heritage, culture and tradition. The Shilp Guru Awards are given to legendary master
craftspersons in recognition of excellent craftsmanship,
He said that the production of handicraft items holds spe-
product excellence and the role played by them as gurus
cial significance in the economic empowerment of wom-
in the continuance of crafts to other trainee artisans as a
en living in the rural areas, as production can be made
vital part of traditional heritage. The Awards were started
within the house along with other household chores. Wom-
in 2002, to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the resurgence
en are a large part of the work force and constitute over
of Handicrafts in India. The Award consists of a gold coin,
50% of the artisans’ sector.
Rs.2.00 lakhs prize money, a Tamrapatra, a shawl and a
Adding on he said that importance of crafts in the socio- certificate. 30 Shilp Gurus have been selected for the
economic livelihood of the vast segment of the rural pop- years 2017, 2018 and 2019 out of whom 24 are male and
ulation cannot be overemphasized. While the award is giv- 06 are female.
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