Textiles Secretary Visits The Kunj During National Handicrafts Week
As part of the ongoing National Handicrafts & Heritage Week 2025 celebrations, Secretary to the Ministry of Textiles, Neelam Shami Rao, visited The Kunj, the flagship retail and cultural space of the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), on December 10. She was accompanied by Amrit Raj, Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), along with senior ministry officials.
During the visit, the Secretary engaged closely with women-led craft retailers, Shilp Didis, and artisans from across the country. She interacted with them during live craft demonstrations and masterclasses that showcased a wide spectrum of India’s traditional techniques, offering a first-hand glimpse into the skill, creativity and cultural depth embedded in handmade products.
In an interactive session, artisans from different regions shared their personal journeys, discussing the challenges of sustaining craft-based livelihoods as well as the opportunities created through entrepreneurship, market access and institutional support. The exchanges highlighted the growing role of women artisans in strengthening local economies and preserving traditional knowledge systems.
Addressing the gathering, Rao described the Shilp Didi initiative as a transformative movement that empowers women artisans, revitalises village economies and helps take India’s handmade traditions from local markets to global platforms. She emphasised that artisan empowerment lies at the heart of the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and is a vital pathway towards achieving Viksit Bharat.
National Handicrafts & Heritage Week 2025 is being observed at The Kunj from 8 to 14 December, featuring a series of workshops, talks and hands-on activities. The programme is designed to celebrate India’s diverse craft traditions, offer immersive learning experiences and foster meaningful interactions between visitors and artisans.
