1. hobbies and interests
2. arts and crafts

Review Article
Vol 1 (2013) 30 - 32
(June –Dec 2013)
Neheu E- Journal
A Journal of Nehru Arts and Science College (NASC)
Journal Home Page: http://nehrucolleges.net/jo.html
ISSN: xxx xxxx xxxx xxxx
Government Guidelines Towards Handicrafts Exports
V.S.Karpagavalli
Department of Costume Design & Fashion, Nehru Arts and Science College, Coimbatore
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Received: 24 June 2013
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Accepted: 19 July 2013
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Available Online: 14 August 2013
Abstract
Keywords:
Handicraft,
textiles
labour,
Indian Handicrafts, which constitutes a significant segment of the decentralized sector of the
economy, its export has reached at a commendable height. Indian folk art and crafts which
are the integral parts of the Indian culture and tradition are in high demand among the
western countries. The biggest problem in the Indian Handicraft industry is that the village
crafts men remain concerned that with free trade and mass production, hand-made products
from other parts of the world will out price the products of their hard labour. With a brief
theoretical understanding, this paper looks at government guidelines towards Indian
handicrafts and exports. It tries to assess how far government exports serve an opportunity
and welfare scheme to the artisans. The role of the government in promoting the crafts and
protecting the artists will be discussed in this paper.
Introduction
Handicraft, also known as craft work or simply
craft, is a type of work where useful and decorative
devices are made completely by hand or using only
simple tools. Usually the term is applied to traditional
means of making goods. Usually, what distinguishes
the term handicraft from the frequently used category
arts and crafts is a matter of intent: handicraft items
are intended to be used, worn, etc, having a purpose
beyond simple decoration. Handicrafts are generally
considered more traditional work, created as a
necessary part of daily life, while arts and crafts
implies more of a hobby pursuit and a
demonstration/perfection of a creative technique.
Indian Handicraft Items
Metal craft, metal ornamentation, pottery and
stone craft, stone craft and marble inlay work,
terracota, wood craft, precious and semi precious
stones, paintings, textiles, cane and mooonj, carpets
and durries.
Handicrafts Export Markets in India
Labour-intensive in nature, the Indian
Handicrafts and Gifts Industry is a major revenue
generator of the country providing employment
opportunities to more than 6 million craftsmen
throughout India. Today it enjoys a strong presence in
the world market with a turnover of USD 1.9 billion. It
has also shown a consistent annual growth rate of
more than 15 per cent over a period of 10 years, with
a steep rise from a mere 3.6% to a 10% share in
global handicraft exports. Major Indian states that
contribute to exportation of various handicraft items
are Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and
Gujarat. Moreover, popular handcrafted gift items
manufactured and marketed from India includes
vases, candle stands, Christmas ornaments, pen
stands, brassware, papier mache gift items, ceramic
pots and handmade paper products in matchless
variety and designs.
Export Promotion Council
Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts
(EPCH)
under
the
aegis
of
Development
Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, and
Government of India is a non-profit organization,
established under the EXIM policy of Government of
India in the year 1986-87. It has created necessary
infrastructure as well as marketing and information
facilities, which are availed both by the member
exporters and importers. The Council is engaged in
promotion of handicrafts from India and project India’s
image abroad as a reliable supplier of high quality
handicrafts.
Export Promotion Scheme for Handicrafts from EPCH
To keep pace with the changed scenario in
World Trade and in view of WTO regime, there is a
need to bring changes in Handicrafts sector for
exploring its export to compete in international
markets, sustain livelihood of over four millions crafts
persons involved in the sector as well as to keep
revival and preservation of old tradition & heritage of
Indian crafts.
Schemes
Product Development
The design & technology aspects play a very
important part in marketing the handicrafts and in
*Corresponding Author Tel:91- 99522 63261 (V.S. Karpagavalli)
E.Mail Addresss: nasccdf@gmail.com
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Karpagavalli et al. 2013/ / Nehru E-Journal.1 (2013) 30 - 32
order to compete in the international market it is
necessary to promote the organizations involved in
export of handicrafts for development of new and
innovative items. In order to meet out this requirement
as per changing taste, fashion of the consumers in the
foreign markets, it is proposed to provide financial
assistance for development of exportable products, by
way of selecting or involving reputed designers from
India and abroad who will help them to develop the
items/range of items as per requirement of foreign
market which will enable the exporters to compete in
the international market
a) Workshop and Training Programme in Packaging
and in Export
b) Training of Artists/Master crafts persons/Designers
c) Workshop/seminar in India and Abroad
d) Selection of Designers, Artists for development of
prototypes for exports and invitation to foreign
Designers.
PUBLICITY & MARKETING
The organizations that are developing the
new and innovative items are required to give publicity
at the international level in order to explore the
possibility to market their items. Effective and well
designed publicity drive create awareness amongst
the potential buyers as to the strength of the products
ranges being offered by India and also help in
dissemination of National policies and information on
other issues like Social Environmental, working
condition to educate buyers and consumers.
It is, therefore, proposed to launch a
systematic publicity campaign through audiovisual/
printed publicity by making video film preparing
posters, catalogues, folders, brochures on Indian
Handicraft/Carpet, Road Shows, Catalogue Shows,
fashion shows, live demonstration by crafts persons
and such other methods as will create positive image
of Indian Handicrafts in the foreign markets.
Schemes of the Office of Development Commissioner
(Handicrafts), Ministry Of Textiles, Government of
India
The Office of Development Commissioner
(Handicrafts) is responsible for formulation and
implementation of several schemes for the
development of handicrafts at the Central level. This
office also provides necessary guidance to the State
Government for formulation and implementation of
their promotional programmes. A necessity, therefore,
arises to have a regular system of feedback of
economic, social, aesthetic and promotional aspects
of various crafts and artisans in this sector. It also
arranges promotional programmes for this purpose.
Babasahib Ambedkar Hastshilp Vikas Yojana
This scheme aims at promoting Indian
handicrafts by developing artisan’s clusters into
professionally managed and self-reliant community
enterprises on the principles of effective member
participation and mutual cooperation. This thrust of
the scheme is on a projectile need based integrated
approach for sustainable handicrafts development
through participation of craftsperson leading to their
empowerment.
Bima Yojana for Handicrafts Artisans Objectives
“Bima Yojana” for Handicraft Artisans is in
operation since 2003-04 with the objective of
providing life insurance Protection to Handicraft
Artisans which has two components namely
“Janshree Bima Yojana” & “Add-on Group Insurance
Scheme” for male as well as female age group of 18 60 years. The scheme is being implemented through
Life Insurance Corporation of India.
Credit Guarantee Scheme
The objective of the scheme is to alleviate the
problems of collateral security or third party guarantee
and remove implements to flow of credit in the
handicraft sector.
Training & Extension
The main objective of this scheme is to
enhance the capacity building artisans, NGO etc. and
to meet the administrative expenditure of Carpet
Weaving Training Centre in J&K and 23 cane &
bamboo departmentally run training centers.
Design & Technology Up gradation
Design & Technology Up gradation scheme
aims at up gradation of artisans skills, improvement
and diversification of products, development of new
design of prototypes, supply of improved/modern
equipments to the craft persons, revival of rate crafts
to preserve the traditional heritage, preservation of
traditional art & crafts of high aesthetic value, etc.
Marketing Support & Services
The main objective of this scheme is to
create awareness of Indian Handicrafts among the
masses by organizing a number of marketing events
in big and small cities, to provide financial assistance
to state Handicrafts Development Corporations, Apex
Cooperatives and prominent NGOs for opening new
Emporia at suitable places to enable the craft persons
to have permanent sales outlets for their products, to
popularize and publicize handicrafts sector, to provide
services in the form of entrepreneurship development
programme etc.
All India Handicrafts Board
The All India Handicrafts Board was
established in 1952 to advise the Government on
problems of handicrafts and to suggest measures for
improvement and development. The Board was also
required to study technical, marketing, financial,
organizational, artistic and other aspects of
handicrafts and to formulate plans on these lines.
The Handicrafts and Hand Looms Export Corporation
Of India
The Handicrafts and Hand looms Export
Corporation of India, a popular organization of All
India Handicrafts Board was established in 1962. This
organization promotes exports and development of
potential market execution of Whole Sale and retail
Orders.
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Karpagavalli et al. 2013/ / Nehru E-Journal.1 (2013) 30 - 32
Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster development
Scheme – A Central Sector Scheme
Keeping in view the fact that the export value
realization of Handicrafts products is quite high,
integrated infrastructure development has been the
policy focus in recent times. The multiplicity in
production in tiny units along with geographical wide
spread base has resulted into higher level of levies
marring the competitiveness in international market.
Thus, addressing the problem of infrastructure
bottlenecks by suggesting continuation of the sector
specific infrastructure schemes has been the focus of
attention. It is in this background it is proposed to
launch a new Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster
Development scheme (CHCDS) - Growth foci for
spatial development in rural mosaic towards spiral
percolation through partnership.
CONCLUSION
The Government has created a macro
economic framework over the last decade with the
aim of stimulating and sustaining growth in the
economy. Inflation has reduced to a single digit; the
external sector has been liberalized with price
deregulations and free transactions in foreign
exchange. Government has also divested itself from
economic activities thus ending State monopolies.
However, the country still lacks a comprehensive
trade policy, which specifies sector specific export
strategies. While some economic policies have been
designed specifically to suit promotion needs of the
export sector, they largely address the needs of large
business and industries and ignore the needs of small
scale and medium business units in rural and urban
areas. Various government policies programme and
interventions in the export sector have largely
disregarded the importance of handicrafts in rural
livelihood especially of women.
Reference
1. Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts
2. Government of India, Planning Commission,
Plan Documents.
3. Indian Council for Research in International
Economic Relations study. 1993.
4. UNESCO-UNCTAD/WTO (ITC) at Manila: 6 –
8 October 1997.
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