IITF 2024 Empowers Divyang Artisans with Key Initiatives

Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar, today inaugurated the Ministry Pavilion and various stalls showcasing products/initiatives of artisans and entrepreneurs from disadvantaged sections of society, in the India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2024, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.

Addressing the media on the occasion, Dr. Virendra Kumar informed that the Ministry is providing a platform for more than 100 underprivileged artisans and entrepreneurs to participate in the fair and facilitate the aim of their economic upliftment. Through the International Trade Fair, these artisans get an opportunity to market their products and export them. The handloom, handicraft and other products in the stalls are all ‘Made in India’ and are taking forward Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s call for ‘Vocal for Local’.

The Minister informed that the three apex corporations of the Ministry support artisans and entrepreneurs of Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes and Safai Karamcharis to become self-employed, self-reliant along with requisite skills development. In order to provide a shared brand, the Ministry has envisioned a brand named TULIP (Traditional Artisan's Upliftment of Artisans Livelihood Programme), that will target export markets.

Further, the Minister informed that there are over 35 special stalls supported by the Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) in the fair. They would be highlighting a range of advanced assistive technologies and traditional crafts created by Divyang artisans, alongside key displays from National Institutes and Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs) showcasing the Department’s extensive support programmes. This initiative not only nurtures the creativity and skills of Divyangjan, but also paves the way for meaningful employment and economic empowerment, he added.

Highlighting the historic significance of this event, DEPwD Secretary Shri Rajesh Aggarwal remarked, “This marks the first-ever participation of the Department in IITF. We are proud to announce that over 20 of these stalls are run by Divyangjan themselves, reflecting their exceptional talents and skills. Additionally, our national institutes and ALIMCO have displayed advanced prosthetics and assistive devices, presenting cutting-edge technology for persons with disabilities. These stalls not only showcase the creativity and potential of Divyangjan but also serve as a critical platform for their economic empowerment.”

Other dignitaries present on the occasion included senior officials from both Departments of the Ministry as well as the Apex Corporations, National Institutes and PSEs.