The World Crafts Forum (WCF) inaugural ceremony was held on November 22, 2024, at Saranga Amphitheater, New Delhi, bringing together a distinguished gathering of dignitaries and craft experts from across the globe. This prestigious event, themed “Connecting the World, Shaping the Future,” aimed to highlight the importance of traditional crafts in global cultural and economic landscapes.
The event was graced by the Chief Guest, Shri Pabitra Margherita, MoS, Ministry of Textiles and External Affairs, Govt. of India, and distinguished Guests of Honor, Mr. Saad al-Qaddumi, President of WCC (World Crafts Council), and Mr. Tim Curtis, Director of UNESCO South Asia Regional Office. Eminent personalities such as Mr. Rohit Kansal, Addl. Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, and Ms. Amrit Raj, DC Handicrafts, were also present to share their insights. Sri Samarendra Sahu, Advisor, KIIT-TBI, who was invited to the event by DC, Handicrafts Ms Amrit Raj, and Mr Debashis Tripathy, Senior Manager, KIIT-TBI also attended the programme.
Craftsmen from across the country and the globe were invited, who showcased their craft forms in the exhibition set in the Crafts Village located inside the premises. The various crafts that found a place in the exhibition included- ceramics, paper pottery, Madhubani painting, world famous Sambalpuri handloom, Assamese silk handlooms, Puppets, Jewellery, Bagh printing, Rajasthani handlooms, wood crafts and Thewa metal crafts. Selected artisans from countries like Iran, Saudi Arabia also participated with their traditional crafts like – resin & wood crafts, blue pottery, etc.
KIIT-TBI, as a key player in promoting rural entrepreneurship and innovation, has been instrumental in integrating craft-based livelihood development with modern technologies. Sri Sahu and Mr. Tripathy’s presence underscored the organization’s active role as a knowledge partner in initiatives that bridge the gap between tradition and contemporary business practices.
The event served as a platform to network with international experts, explore avenues for collaborative efforts, and exchange ideas for advancing sustainable development within the craft ecosystem. Their engagement aligns with KIIT-TBI’s vision of empowering artisans and leveraging technology to elevate traditional crafts to the global stage.
Glimpses
