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 Premchand’s 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.