25 days long Design and Technology Development Workshop (DDW) program kicks off at Alikanta village of Balikuda block, Jagatsinghpur district under O/o DC Handicrafts on 31st Jan, 2024 with lots of excitement and celebrations. The programme would focus on the skill development, product innovation leading to economic upliftment of local artisans engaged in making of handcraft items out of grass, leaf, reed and fiber. KIIT-TBI is playing the role of the Implementing partner for the programme with its proven expertise in handicrafts sector.
Mr. Debashis Tripathy and Ms. Subhasmita Sahoo from KIIT-TBI and Ms. Lily Jenamani from KRIAA foundation joined the inaugural session. Mr. Himanshu Sekhar Parida and Ms. Sarojini Das were also present on the occasion, who are the designated designer and master crafts person for the entire duration of the program.
There were about 30 artisans especially women, skilled in weaving of artefacts out of Golden grass, popularly known as “Kaincha” in Odisha, waiting for team’s visit with a lot of enthusiasm and extended a warm welcome to the team members. Mr. Samarendra Sahu, Advisor, KIIT-TBI also joined virtually and addressed the gathering and encouraged the artisans to make this programme a successful one. It was glad to know that, with the effort of Mission Shakti, Govt. of Odisha and the dedication of the artisans, a Producer Group has been formed namely, ‘Pragati Golden Grass Producer Group’ with 45 women artisans. The group is doing extremely well in terms of sourcing of raw material, weaving of golden grass artefacts to marketing of finished products. Even the PG has its presence in e-commerce platform like Flipkart and Amazon and getting regular orders from these sites.
Under this training programme, the artisans will be trained on making of 10 innovative contemporary prototypes out of golden grass with fusion of jute and coir and they will also be getting a wage compensation of INR 300 per day for 25 days.
The program aims at creating enterprises out of individual entrepreneurs and onboard them as part of PM Vishwakarma Yojna by developing their skill level and create a significant impact on the local economy.
