Handicrafts add colour to Shilp Samagam Mela
Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Virendra Kumar, inaugurated the Shilp Samagam Mela at Dilli Haat on Tuesday, marking the beginning of a vibrant showcase of traditional crafts from across India. The fair, which runs from November 5 to 15, brings together over 100 artisans from 16 states, offering a wide array of handicrafts, jewelry, art pieces, home décor, incense, and crockery, among other items.
Speaking at the inauguration, Kumar praised the fair as a significant initiative to empower artisans from marginalised communities, including Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs), safai karamcharis, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), and minority groups. “The fair has been organised by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. 110 beneficiaries from 16 states are participating in the fair. The National Scheduled Caste Development Corporation and National Safai Karamchari Finance Corporation are connecting beneficiaries with skill training and providing loans,” Kumar said.
The Shilp Samagam Mela is not just an exhibition of handicrafts, it is serving as a direct marketplace where artisans can sell their products to the public. The fair is an important platform for artisans to sell their wares and promote their traditional crafts, simultaneously fostering economic growth and social empowerment of the participating communities.
At the event, Kumar also unveiled Tulip, a new digital platform, designed to enhance market access for artisans from marginalised backgrounds. Launched under the guidance of the National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC) and the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Tulip aims to bridge the gap between India’s skilled artisans and both domestic and global markets.
