Textiles Minister inaugurates IHGF Delhi Fair

Textiles Minister inaugurates IHGF Delhi Fair – Autumn 2015
Overseas Buyers from more than 110 countries sourcing from IHGF Delhi Fair

The 40th edition of IHGF- Delhi Fair Autumn 2015 - the world’s largest fair of Indian handicrafts and gifts - was declared open by Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Textiles (Independent Charge) at the world class venue of India Expo Centre and Mart at a colourful ceremony on 14th October, 2015. The fair is being organized by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH).

Smt. Vimla Batham, MLA, Gautam Budh Nagar; Dr. S.K. Panda, Secretary (Textiles), Ministry of Textiles; Shri Rama Raman, Chairman- GNIDA and Shri Alok Kumar, Development Commissioner(Handicrafts) also graced the inaugural ceremony.

Inaugurating the 40thedition of IHGF-Delhi Fair Autumn, 2015, Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar said handicrafts of India have a distinct image and that Indian handicrafts can be further promoted through fairs of this kind. He further said that exporting community should innovate and come up with new products so that buyers who visit IHGF-Delhi fair take back the impression that they these kinds of products cannot be sourced from anywhere else. He added that India has a treasure trove of raw materials, craftsmanship and ethnic traditions and systems, and that we need to reorient to bring innovation and novelty. He applauded EPCH for adding newness to the fair by expanding the fair area and constructing new halls.

The Minister pointed out that handicrafts sector provides employment to more than 7 million artisans and craftspersons who are the backbone of the sector. He said that Government and exporting community need to work together for the promotion of this sector.

Dr. S.K. Panda, Secretary (Textiles), Government of India congratulated the handicrafts sector for achieving very good growth figures. He said that handicrafts sector not only earns foreign exchange but also provides livelihood to large number of artisans. He urged the exporting community to look at growth in an inclusive way and adopt villages so that the livelihood of the artisans who are backbone of the handicrafts sector can be improved.

Dr. Panda said that under the visionary leadership of the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, a new chapter has been opened for empowering people with skiil, self-esteem and pride. He said that several new initiatives have been launched, giving particular attention to making development participative and inclusive. He said that as a part of these, the Ministry of Textiles has initiated several measures for promotion of textiles industry in general and assisting the youth, women and disadvantaged segments of the society in particular.

The Textiles Secretary said that while assistance is being provided under various schemes, it is necessary for the handicraft artisans to feel proud of their occupation and contribution, and come forward to avail benefits under various ongoing schemes. This would enable them to produce quality product with new design as per market demand. He said that it is beyond doubt that this would increase their earning, enable them to lead a comfortable life with dignity, and at the same time, provide continuity to the unique place Indian handicrafts have in the world.

Shri Santosh Kumar,Gangwar also released the Fair Directory as well as a book written by Dr. S. K Panda, Secretary, Textiles titled "Promotion of Handicrafts for Inclusive & Sustainable Development – Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas".

Shri Rakesh Kumar, Chairman, India Expo Centre & Mart and Executive Director, EPCH apprised everyone of the journey of IHGF-Delhi over the last twenty one years and thanked the authorities for their help in setting up such a large and exclusive state-of-the art exhibition centre; the available space of the Centre has been expanded by 40,000 sq m. through construction of six additional halls. The highlight of the fair is theme pavilion of Garden and Garden Accessories, informed Shri Kumar.

About 3000 buyers have registered on the first day of the show. Two seminars have also been organized, one on "Advantage of Doing Business in & with Yiwu, China" and the other on "Social Media - Important tool to maximize presence & sales".

Handicrafts exports have been growing at an average annual growth rate of 15% during the last decade. However, the growth was 7.96% in rupee terms and 6.82% in dollars terms in the year 2014-15 as compared to previous year. The exports of handicrafts during the year 2014-15 was Rs. 18,639.14 crore.

IHGF- Delhi Fair Autumn 2015 is expected to generate huge amount of enquiries and orders.

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Upgradation of existing NIFT Campuses for implementation of reservation for OBC students – extension of timeline for utilization of fund

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved Upgradation of existing NIFT Campuses for implementation of reservation for OBC students – extension of timeline for utilization of fund.

With this, extension of timeline is effective for utilization of balance available fund of Rs. 90.13 crore, by two years beyond 31.03.2015 that is upto March 2017. This will enable upgradation of facilities for implementation of OBC reservation in NIFT and operating the campuses more effectively and efficiently.

Background:

The NIFT was set up by the Ministry of Textiles in the year 1986 as an autonomous society under the Societies Registration act, 1860 for imparting quality education in fashion technology. NIFT has been running full time Degree programmes through its fifteen campuses located at different parts of the country. The scope of the scheme for upgradation of existing NIFT Campuses and implementing reservation for OBC students is to create additional infrastructure facilities at existing NIFT campuses, construction of additional class rooms, laboratories, hostel accommodation for students, purchase of machinery and equipments etc.