Skilled artisans from Jammu & Kashmir and Nagaland present their rich legacy and traditional craftsmanship at the 53rd edition of the IHGF Delhi Fair in the National Capital Region, highlighting two recent skilling projects by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE). The craftsmen were upskilled and reskilled as part of the Ministry’s special Pilot initiatives, which included RPL, a component of the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY).
RPL is a component of skill certification that allows Indian youngsters to pursue industry-relevant skill certifications that would help them gain a better life.
Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship; and Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, visited the two states and announced the efforts. Following his visit, he highlighted the need to organise a project for the preservation and revival of the region’s dying traditional crafts, citing the handicraft industry as the region’s primary source of employment. In Nagaland and Jammu & Kashmir, it was discovered that the historical and traditional skill clusters required trained craftsmen from communities to supply the demand for traditional crafts. This strategy encourages micro-entrepreneurship by bridging the gap between industry and market.
Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has always believed in supporting local artisans. Supporting traditional artisans and craftsmen, he added, will give the Skill India Mission a new dimension by improving the economic situations of individuals working in this field. Indian handicraft is a reflection of our distinct culture and tradition. Our artists bring the history of their region, culture, and mythology to life with wonderfully articulated designs, leaving their art form for future generations to appreciate.
In India’s economy, the handicrafts sector is quite important. It employs a large portion of the people in rural and semi-urban regions, generates significant foreign exchange, and preserves the country’s cultural legacy. The handicraft and handloom sector in India was valued at Rs 25,706.3 crore in fiscal year 2021, contributing roughly Rs 126 billion to the country’s GDP. As India commemorates Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, there is a pressing need to teach our craftsmen in new and improved techniques so that they can take advantage of naye avsars (new possibilities) and promote their distinctive goods on international platforms.
“The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) is invested in achieving the actual potential of craftsmen and weavers in India through developing handcraft items and traditional industrial clusters in the country,” Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar stated of the projects. The unorganised workforce of the handicraft sector would benefit from the upskilling scheme under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Furthermore, craftsmen and weavers will be aligned with the standardised NSQF (National Skills Qualifications Framework). I am certain that our initiative will improve local craftsmen’ abilities and technical knowledge, allowing them to make a good living.”
About the Jammu and Kashmir upskilling initiative:
Two initiatives were initiated in Jammu and Kashmir, namely I the revival of Kashmir’s Namda craft as a special pilot project under PMKVY 3.0 and (ii) the upskilling of Kashmir’s craftsmen and weavers under RPL. While the former benefited 2,250 individuals from 30 Namda Clusters across six Kashmir districts, the latter aimed to upskill 10,900 craftsmen and weavers.
The unique concept was created as a short-term training programme to help conserve the endangered Namda ship. In three training cycles, the project was implemented in 25 batches. Each training programme lasted around three and a half months, resulting in a cycle completion time of 14 to 16 months. Under the supervision of the Handicrafts and Carpet Sector Skill Council, the craftsmen and weavers were also recognised with the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Type-1 (Bridge Module Certification) (HCSSC).
Concerning Nagaland’s upskilling programme:
The goal of the pilot project was to improve the productivity of local cane and bamboo craftsmen via RPL evaluation and certification in traditional handicrafts. Over 4,000 artisans and craftsmen will be upskilled as part of the initiative. Additionally, the programme will improve marketing abilities and practises, promoting cane and bamboo craftsmen’ traditional and local crafts. Through the Upskilling Bridge Module, which is certified by the Government of India, the programme will give value to traditional handicrafts. Each batch will run for 12 days, including 12 hours of orientation and 60 hours of Bridge Module as part of the programme. The craftsmen and weavers will also be accredited with the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Type-1 after completing the orientation programme and the Bridge Module. Partners in training deliveryCane Concept and Handloom Naga were chosen for the upskilling project.
The project will be conducted in stages, beginning with the selection of craftsmen and weavers and ending with the training of trainers (ToT). Candidates will be chosen from Nagaland’s traditional crafts clusters based on their prior expertise. Following their training, all craftsmen and weavers will operate in micro-units inside their clusters. Beneficiaries would be encouraged to actively participate in external discourse at this period so that, in the end, they will be able to handle market connections on their own.
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