The Indian government has launched an e-commerce portal called Indiahandmade.com to enable artists and weavers to sell their handloom and handicraft products directly to clients without the need for middlemen. Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi tweeted, “Do visit indiahandmade.com and add momentum to the movement towards being #VocalForLocal.”
The portal will provide products from more than 35 lakh handloom weavers and 27 lakh handicraft artisans directly to the consumers. The portal currently offers clothing, home decor, jewellery, accessories, and other products handmade by skilled artisans.
“Integration with multiple logistic partners for smooth order processing, free handholding of sellers from registration till order fulfilment, connecting artisans and weavers directly to the buyers through a common platform,” are other features of the portal, said the ministry.The portal will also provide an opportunity for 62 lakh weavers and artisans to become future e-entrepreneurs. The portal offers free shipping to customers, a return option, and a variety of online payment processors without charging any commission to vendors.
The ministry further added, “With the help of this virtual Indian store, the artisans will get remunerated fairly with no middlemen to manipulate prices and city-dwelling urban Indians will get access to 100% authentic & best handcrafts products emerging straight from the heart of India.”
The portal will be beneficial for both artisans and consumers. Artisans will receive fair compensation without intermediaries, and consumers will have access to authentic and high-quality handloom and handicraft products. The portal will also help preserve traditional Indian arts and crafts and promote the government's Vocal for Local initiative.
The Indian handicraft industry is a significant contributor to the country's economy. According to the Ministry of Textiles, the industry employs around 70 lakh people, and its exports were worth around USD 3.4 billion in 2020-21.
However, the industry has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. The closure of physical markets and the disruption of supply chains have severely affected the livelihoods of artisans and weavers.
The launch of Indiahandmade.com is a welcome initiative that will help revive the industry by providing a platform for artisans and weavers to sell their products directly to consumers.
H3: Other government initiatives to support the handicraft industry
The government has launched several initiatives to support the handicraft industry. The Ministry of Textiles has launched the Deen Dayal Hathkargha Protsahan Yojana (DDHPY) to provide financial support to artisans and weavers. Under the scheme, artisans and weavers can avail of credit facilities, training programs, and marketing support.
The government has also launched the National Handicraft Development Programme (NHDP) to provide support for infrastructure development, design development, and marketing of handicraft products.
Indiahandmade.com is an excellent initiative by the Indian government to promote the handicraft industry and support artisans and weavers. The portal's features, such as free shipping and online payment
Important News Tags and Headlins for Readers