New Delhi, Nov 2 Union Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Virendra Kumar on Monday proposed organising artisan fairs in the capitals of different states during festive seasons to provide wider market access and livelihood opportunities to traditional artisans, including those from Scheduled Castes and Other Backward Classes.
Addressing the formal inauguration of Shilp Samagam Mela 2026 at Dilli Haat here, Kumar said the initiative should be expanded to benefit a larger number of people from these communities.
The minister said Shilp Samagam fairs, which began in 2022, have so far been organised 15 times across the country and benefited more than 1,000 artisans belonging to different target groups.
This year’s edition marks the first joint initiative of the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, with the participation of persons with disabilities through the Purple Fest.
The fairs are organised with the support of four national corporations — National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC), National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC), National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC) and National Divyangjan Finance and Development Corporation (NDFDC).
Against this backdrop, Kumar urged officials of both departments and the four corporations to expand the initiative to more parts of the country by organising such fairs in state capitals during festive seasons.
“I would like to urge officials of both departments and the four corporations to take this initiative a step further and organise Shilp Samagam fairs in the capitals of different states during festive seasons.
“This will prove to be an important step towards livelihood empowerment of a larger number of people from Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes and sanitation worker communities,” he said.
The fair features 133 stalls showcasing traditional handicrafts, textiles, home decor, food products, religious items and other goods brought by artisans from different states and Union territories.
A key component of the fair is Bharat TULIP (Traditional Artisans’ Upliftment Livelihood Programme), an initiative aimed at connecting products made by artisans from target groups with consumers in India and abroad through e-commerce platforms.
Under this, products are branded as Bharat TULIP to enhance their visibility and facilitate online sales.
“Our government believes that traditional artisans and tribal communities should not remain merely beneficiaries of welfare schemes but become partners in the country’s economic and social development,” Kumar said.
He said the fair provides artisans an opportunity to showcase their products directly to consumers and access wider marketing opportunities.
“Shilp Samagam is not limited to organising an exhibition or a fair. Our larger objective is to create an ecosystem in which individuals and communities progressively achieve economic independence and dignity of livelihood,” he said.
The minister also urged people to purchase products directly from artisans, saying this will support their livelihoods and preserve India’s traditional crafts and cultural heritage.
The mela, being organised from November 1 to November 15, is themed ‘Prakash aur Parampara – Jyoti Se Jyoti Jalayen’ and features thematic zones showcasing traditional crafts, textiles, food products and cultural performances.
(PTI News)
