The government has decided to scrap the office of the Development Commissioner Handlooms with the vision of ‘Minimum Government and Maximum Governance’ It is true that these boards had become dysfunctional since the last many years.
Handmade in India is the largest craft resource in the world. The handloom sector is the second largest sector after agriculture and what is needed today is to rejuvenate these boards that can become the link between the artisan community and the government, understand their needs to create new policies that could revive the sector. This could help create the much needed, millions of jobs in rural India. This board was the only link between the government and craftspeople.
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Post India’s independence, apart from The Office of the Development Commissioner Handlooms, many meaningful institutions were built to support the handcrafted sector such as the Rastriya Shalas, The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) and the Weavers Service Centres. Until the 1990’s, the Weavers Service Centres were vibrant centres with active state support. The artisans and designers were able to use their resource centres for inspiration as each hub had a collection of old samples from the region. They also had a design cell that produced new artworks that artisans could purchase at reasonable price and they offered technical assistance. Periodically, they conducted workshops to introduce new dyeing techniques, helped in upgrading skills and solved technical problems faced by the artisans. Unfortunately, most of these institutions, devoid of any financial support or a visionary head have become defunct. Revitalising these institutions with a new vision to suit the present needs could help revitalise the craft segment. |
In some ways, so little is required to transform this sector. We need a new approach and with the right policy, adequate investment and an appropriate team, this sector could be rejuvenated, which can revive the village economy, to kick-start a transformation within a short span of five years. A dynamic vision, with a political will, along with domain expertise, backed by a dedicated young team of designers and technocrats can rejuvenate the handcrafted segment to create the much needed jobs, which would benefit the 30 million presently in this sector.
We, in India have a huge opportunity to create products that are ethical, sustainable and eco-friendly that gives dignity to the maker and respects the environment. The challenge is how to bridge the gap, connect the producers with the markets. I strongly believe that with the greatest concentration of craft skills in the world, Indian artisans can make a significant contribution. We have the potential of creating ‘Handmade in India’ for the Local, National and World Markets and in the process assist in making the world a better place for the future generations.
