The Ministry of Textiles of India is in the headlines for its recent initiative named ‘Kala Kumbh – Handicrafts Thematic Exhibition,’ which is planned to be held across the country from 14th – 23rd February 2020. The project aims at promoting the Geographical Indication (GI) crafts alongside India’s rich heritage.
About Geographical Indication (GI) Crafts
Geographical Indication, often abbreviated as GI, implies goods that have a particular geographical origin. These goods are firmly associated with their place of origin, such as a town, region, or even a country. The concept behind assigning the GI tag is to ensure that none other than those registered as authorised users (or at least those residing inside the geographic territory) are allowed to use the popular product name.
As of August 2019, there are a total of 178 GI handicraft products that have been officially registered across the vast expanse of India. Among these, some of the well-known crafts include the Madhubani Painting from Bihar and Kondapalli Bommallu from Andhra Pradesh, to name a few.
The Role of the Office of Development Commissioner (Handicrafts)
The exhibition, which is an endeavour to bring the underrated GI crafts into the limelight, is being organized under the supervision of the Office of Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), a division functioning under the authority of the Ministry of Textiles.
Participation of the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH)
The exhibition enjoys sponsorship from the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH). Established under the Companies Act in the fiscal year of 1986-87, the EPCH has emerged as a non-profit organisation. It operates with the objective of promoting, supporting, safeguarding, sustaining, and increasing the export of various handicrafts that form a part of India’s diverse and rich heritage.
The Ultimate Goal
The main objective of organizing such an grand event tagged ‘Kala Kumbh – Handicrafts Thematic Exhibition’ is to promote the Geographical Indication (GI) crafts, which have significant potential but are not as popular as they deserve to be. The idea is to enhance their popularity, thereby supporting the artisans involved in creating these crafts while preserving the country’s rich heritage.
This kind of initiative by the Ministry of Textiles draws attention towards the importance of preserving and promoting the unique handicrafts produced in specific regions of India. It also highlights the role of government agencies and non-profit organisations in supporting the growth and development of these traditional crafts.