Hastkala Setu Yojana Wins Big for Craft Revival
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The “GI Excellence Award – Gujarat Chapter” for Excellence in Promotion and Geographical Indication (GI) Tagging of Handicrafts has been given to the Hastkala Setu Yojana, an initiative of the Commissionerate of Cottage and Rural Industries (CCRI), Government of Gujarat, and carried out by the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Ahmedabad. The prize was given out during the “Leveraging GI for Economic Growth, Cultural Preservation, and Global Recognition” conference, which was hosted by the Gujarat National Law University and the Intellectual Property Talent Search Examination on July 18, 2025.
This honour demonstrates the project’s continued dedication to conserving Gujarat’s ancient crafts, assisting craftspeople in creating long-term incomes, and assisting them in safeguarding their distinctive abilities while securing new prospects in the rapidly changing markets of today.
Hastkala Setu Yojana, which was created as a comprehensive program to revitalise Gujarat’s handloom and handicraft industries, has played a key role in creating an entrepreneurial environment that has strengthened the state’s rural and cottage industries. It has also made a concerted effort to connect rural craftspeople with markets, design, and talent.
The project began in September 2020 in six districts and has since expanded to all 33 districts in Gujarat, reaching more than 34,000 craftspeople. More than 11,000 craftsmen have benefited from EDII’s organised training programs, design interventions, branding advice, and assistance with digital marketing as they move from unofficial to formal business settings. In order to assert and safeguard the cultural and financial worth of their traditional crafts, an increasing number of craftspeople have also received assistance in registering their goods under the Geographical Indication (GI) framework.
“The traditional crafts of Gujarat are deeply woven into the identity of our people and communities,” remarked Ms. Ardra Agarwal (IAS), Secretary & Commissioner, Cottage & Rural Industries, Government of Gujarat, in her remarks on the accomplishment. In addition to preserving these customs, we have worked to help craftsmen prosper in the fast-paced markets of today through the Hastkala Setu Yojana. The government’s dedication to artisan-led development is affirmed by the GI Excellence Award, which is a gratifying occasion. We applaud the craftspeople, mentors, and collaborators like EDII who are steadfastly advancing our goal.
“What makes Hastkala Setu Yojana truly impactful is its strong connection with the ground realities of artisans,” stated Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director General, EDII. In addition to providing them with skills, it teaches them how to use digital resources, maintain their heritage, use entrepreneurial competencies, and develop as business owners. In order to give their work the recognition and respect it merits in the marketplace, geographic indications are crucial. We at EDII are honoured to accompany these craftspeople on their journey, ensuring that they not only preserve their work but also create a sustainable future. We are inspired to spread this approach to even more communities by this award.
Local crafts like Tangaliya, Rogan art, Kutch embroidery, and Mata ni Pachedi have been repositioned as protected, high-value commodities in both domestic and international markets thanks in large part to the project’s GI component. Through exhibitions, e-commerce onboarding, and specialised channels designed for artists, the project promotes market outreach. Because of this, the total revenue earned by the sponsored craftsmen has surpassed ₹100.10 crore, indicating a noticeable improvement in the incomes and livelihoods of artisans.
Through innovative ideas and well-considered regulations, the Hastkala Setu Yojana has helped revive traditional crafts that were gradually disappearing, encouraged young people to be proud of their heritage, and established Gujarat as a leader in assisting craftsmen. The project is demonstrating how cultural heritage can provide thousands of craftspeople with a sense of pride, dignity, and a stable income with targeted support on the ground.
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