
Visitors
at Shilpotsav, a unique handicraft and folk-artisan Mela
by Brandsmith at Dilli Haat in the capital city, discovered a mini
India- a resurgent India, represented by more than 200 handicraft
and folk-artisans drawn from all over the country. The Self Help
Groups (SHGs), traditional crafts persons and weavers from remote
corners of the country representing the versatility of skills,
entrepreneurship and creativity through amazing products showcased
at the Utsav. Ranging from Bamboo works, Footwear, Kalamkari,
Manipuri Handicraft to Phulkari, Terracotta and wood-inlay, the Mela
offered a visual feast of products.
Brandsmith, a leading name in the realm of brand management,
structured media management, events & promotions handled this
festival on behalf of the Ministry of social Justice &
Empowerment, Government of India.
This unique Utsav brought together the extraordinary richness and
diversity of Indian handicrafts and traditional artisans, who are
the beneficiaries of the various schemes being run by the Ministry
of Social Justice and Empowerment for the weaker sections of society
in order to empower them economically. This aims to give the SHGs
and other small entrepreneurs an exposure to dream big and their
self belief should grow further so that their successful venture
should strengthen importance of the local producers and give them
better confidence to strive in the present world of Globalisation.
Such events provide an opportunity of interaction between artisans
and potential buyers/ exporters, giving wings to their dreams.

The
Mela was co-organised by the apex organisations of the Ministry
which include NBCFDC (National Backward Class Finance Development
Corporation), NSFDC ( National Scheduled Caste Finance and
Development Corporation , NHFDC ( National Handicapped Finance and
Development Corporation), NSKFDC (National Safai Karmachari Finance
and Development Corporation), NISD (National Institute of Social
Defence) and the National Trust.. These apex bodies of the Ministry
provide financial support, skill enhancement/ training avenues and
help them develop marketing linkages, especially to the
disadvantaged sections of the society.
The cultural programmes at the Mela were an added attraction in the
evenings. The visitors particularly enjoyed the enactment of
Premchands story Budhi Kaki, directed by Devendra Raj Ankur,
Professor at National School of Drama, New Delhi. Street plays,
Manipuri Dance, fashion show by the disabled children, mime show by
deaf & dumb, orchestra by blind and other enchanting events that
were slotted every evening for the visitors. This exhibition cum
sale was attended by lacs of Delhites and was inaugurated by the
Union Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment, with senior
officials, CMD,s of various corporations, diplomats, socialites and
media personalities in attendance.
"More than 200 artisans & artists from 24 states
participated in this festival with sales of more than 60 lacs &
bulk order bookings of about 12 lacs. We are overwhelmed to bag such
a prestigious account by Government of India and are glad that weeks
of meticulous planning & execution has finally paid off. We look
forward to similar national & international projects under the
aegis of Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment and its
various corporations," said an upbeat Rahul Mittra, CEO
Brandsmith & the main organisor of this prestigious 15 day
festival.