North-east craft fair at IHGF 2017

THE NORTH EASTERN region of India is known for abundant natural materials such as cane, bamboo, timber, clay, natural fiber and land of craftsmen whose unique skills have passed down through generation and have gracefully incorporated modern eco-friendly technologies to appeal to the contemporary consumers.

Mr Rakesh Kumar, Executive Director (ED), Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH), informed that under the North East Region Textiles Promotion Scheme of the Ministry of Textiles, Govt Of India, EPCH has projected capacity enhancement, skill development and marketing and increase of employment opportunities of the North Eastern region of India by providing a platform to the products being manufactured by artisans, craftsperson and budding entrepreneurs at IHGF Delhi Fair Spring 2017. 26 participants from NER (North-east) states like Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, Meghalaya and Sikkim as well as the region’s welfare organisations like North Eastern Handloom and Handicrafts Development Corporation and Cane and Bamboo Technology Centre, Assam are displaying cane and bamboo based basketry, lamp shades, gifts items, decorative and utility products as well as furniture, table runners and accessories, artistic textiles, ethnic apparel, shawls and stoles. Buyers from different countries were seen visiting the theme pavilion of NER set up during the fair.

ED-EPCH further said that another theme pavilion from Jodhpur Mega cluster has also been set up in which 10 artisans are displaying their skills of leather embroidery, horn, tie and dye crafts, embroidery and appliqué hand block printing, punja durries, art metalware and woodcraft. “This international participation will definitely boost the morale of the small and upcoming entrepreneurs of this region and motivate others,” said Mr Rakesh Kumar.