On September 13, 2024, a one-day seminar-cum-workshop was organized by the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Handicrafts Service Centre, Kohima, under the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, at Hotel Seasons, Chumukedima, Nagaland. The event aimed to empower and inform artisans involved in dry flower crafts from across the state.
Inauguration and Key Attendees:
The seminar was inaugurated by Er. Y. Lipongse Thongtsar, Additional Director, Directorate of Industries and Commerce, Government of Nagaland. Key attendees included Sh. Deeptansu Haldar, Deputy Director (H) for the North-Eastern Region, and Dr. Dhiraj Kumar, Assistant Director (A&C) from the Regional Office, Guwahati.
Objectives and Discussions:
The seminar’s primary focus was to educate artisans on the following:
- E-Commerce portals for wider market access.
- Understanding the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and its impact on the handicraft sector.
- Exploring opportunities via the Government e-Marketplace (GeM).
- Registration of Geographical Indication (GI) crafts.
- The critical role of design in enhancing the value of handicrafts.
- Available government schemes through the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts).
Expert Presentations:
- GST in Handicrafts: Insights were shared by experts from the Commissionerate of State Taxes, Government of Nagaland.
- E-Commerce: A presentation by an Assistant Professor from the Department of Management at St. Joseph University, Chumukedima, highlighted how artisans could leverage online platforms to sell their products.
- GeM Portal and GI Crafts: Sh. V. Pusa, from the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH), discussed how artisans could benefit from government initiatives like GeM and registering their crafts for GI recognition.
- Design in Handicrafts: Sh. Ranjit Gogoi, an empanelled designer with the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), emphasized the importance of design innovation to increase market competitiveness.
Conclusion:
The seminar concluded with an interactive session between artisans and officials, led by Dr. Dhiraj Kumar, alongside Sh. Rajib Ch. Roy and Sh. P. Barman from the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts). The event provided a platform for artisans to share their challenges and gain valuable insights for enhancing their crafts and expanding their businesses.
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