The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Resource centres for 30 Indian crafts in 11th Plan

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Feb 12, 2007
ePaper


<SCRIPT language='JavaScript1.1' SRC="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adj/N4322.hinduonline/B2155503.3;abr=!ie;sz=468x60;ord=[timestamp]?"> </SCRIPT> <NOSCRIPT> <A HREF="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/N4322.hinduonline/B2155503.3;abr=!ie4;abr=!ie5;sz=468x60;ord=[timestamp]?"> <IMG SRC="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/N4322.hinduonline/B2155503.3;abr=!ie4;abr=!ie5;sz=468x60;ord=[timestamp]?" BORDER=0 WIDTH=468 HEIGHT=60 ALT="Click Here"></A> </NOSCRIPT>

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Resource centres for 30 Indian crafts in 11th Plan

Bageshree S.

Silk research institute in Bangalore may be one of them

IN NEED OF A BOOST: Small interventions can enhance crafts such as pottery. — Photo: Sampath Kumar G.P.

Bangalore: Traditional Indian handicrafts are unparalleled in their range and sophistication of technique. Their survival in the global market, though, will depend not just on the craftspersons' traditional skills, but also on their ability to introduce innovations to suit the changing markets and draw customers.

It is to help craftspersons who are mostly unorganised and come from marginalised village communities that the Government of India is setting up resource centres for 30 craft categories in the 11th Five Year Plan. These centres, spread across the country, will act both as knowledge banks for craftsmen and nodal points between the producers and the market. Speaking to The Hindu, Sanjay Agarwal, Development Commissioner of Handicrafts, Government of India, hinted at the possibility of the Central Silk Technological Research Institute in Bangalore being identified as one of the centres.

Improving production

"Although we have amazing crafts in this country, we do need research centres that will enhance the crafts with small interventions to tweak techniques to improve production, conserve energy and so on. The nodal centres will fill this gap and act as catalysts," he said. These centres may get going by the beginning of next year.

Another important proposal that will help marketing is the setting up of an independent body to certify natural dyes used in many Indian fabric craft traditions. Though the use of natural dyes is the USP of many traditions, there is no agency to ensure that the dyes used are indeed sourced from natural material. "Certification becomes particularly important when we are looking at an export market where quality control is very crucial," Mr. Agarwal said.

The approach paper on the 11th Plan places special emphasis on the "dispersed and decentralised micro and small enterprises (MSE) sector", which has the second largest share of employment after agriculture.

The MSE sector accounts for 32 per cent of the Indian workforce and 29 per cent of the value added in non-agricultural private unincorporated enterprises.

"Infusion of appropriate technology, design skills, modern marketing capacity building and easier access to credit can make this segment an expanding base for self-sustaining employment and wealth generation and also foster a culture of creative and competitive industry," adds the approach paper.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Karnataka