Handicraft Items one of India’s Greatest Gifts Manufacturers to the World

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Handicraft- one of Indias greatest gifts to the
world Theres hardly a household in India
that has not been touched by the
Handicraft/ Handloom industry. The study of the
Indian handicraft industry will take you on a
historic voyage of 5000 years.
Archaeologists have found evidence of
handmade artifacts in the Indus Valley
Civilization. Apart from pottery, terracotta,
jewellery, and weaving, historians have also
established that ancient Indians had a
strong interest in paintings. Post-Maurya and
during the Gupta era, the
number of handicraft manufacturers kept
growing with the focus areas being
handloom, leather products, woodcarving,
sculpture, etc. The industry further
flourished during the medieval period and the
British rule as India emerged as a major
exporting nation.

• The Modern Scenario
• The thriving handicraft industry employs more
  than 7 million people in the country. The primary
  produces include shawls, carpets, glassware,
  imitation jewellery, attar, embroidered items,
  handprinted garments, art-metal products, and
  more.
• During 2021-22 India exported handicraft
  products worth 4.35 billion, over 25
  growth from the previous year.
• The United States accounts for about 38 of the
  total handicraft exports from India. Other major
  countries are Australia, Canada, France, Germany,
  Netherlands, Japan, Italy, and more.
• The Growth Drivers
• Traditionally skilled labours As history
  showcases, India has been bestowed with efficient
  craftsmen for thousands of years who have
  been engaged in the trade for generations.
  Hence, theres an abundance of skilled workers in
  this field.
• Favourable government policies National
  Handicraft Development Program (NHDP), and
  the Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster
  Development Scheme
• (CHCDS) are two bodies responsible for
  augmenting production facilities
  technology, human resource management, credit
  facilities for artisans, etc.

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• E-commerce boom Online B2B, as well as B2C
  segments, have embraced the Indian handicraft
  industry that has expanded the market
  penetration. A number of organisations are
  directly sourcing from handicraft items
  manufacturers, thus increasing their earning
  potential.
• Growing overseas market Export Promotion Council
  for Handicrafts (EPCH) is the body thats
  responsible for building and maintaining the
  export drive for Indian handicrafts.
• Artisan development initiatives For
  several decades, artisans had faced the
• problem of profitably marketing their
  products. With various marketing initiatives
  taken by the government and private
  entities, the craftsmen are now getting
  their efforts worth. They are also being
  inducted into modern technologies that are
  increasing their productivity.
• Industry Experts (https//www.industryexperts.
  co.in/) are well-networked with handicraft
  manufacturers and capable of catering to your
  sourcing needs as also help you set up shop in
  this industry.