A national academy for handicrafts will be set up soon to nurture talents of artisans in the country. The academy will be on the lines ofNational Institute for Design (NID) and National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT).
Anand Sharma, the union minister for commerce and industry and textiles, made the announcement while inaugurating 'Kaivalam', a four-day World Crafts Summit, on Sunday. The event is organised by the World Crafts Council (WCC) and Union textiles ministry.
Sharma said, "Creating an academy for arts and handicraft is being given a serious thought. I do hope that with all possible support this becomes a reality." He said that the handicraft industry suffers largely due to poverty among weavers and banks ought to support them with easy access to loans. "Last November I was in a weaving village near Benaras. The saris were beautiful but the weavers didn't earn enough to feed their families. Access to easy credit has to be available for artisans and banks have to be supportive. Sometimes they (artisans) will default but this is a very small number," he said.
On FDI in multi-brand retail sector, Sharma said the decision of the Centre was taken by consensus and no state could decide for another or deprive them if they choose to go ahead with the Centre's decision. "Only 10 states who wanted it have been notified. Other states can also join. However, it is left to them (states) to decide whether to join or not," Sharma said.
Exhibits from 40 countries, including from Kenya, Brazil, Mexico, Rwanda, Niger and Uzbekistan are on display at the ITC Grand Chola in Guindy, where the summit is being held. Interdisciplinary exhibitions are being held at various art galleries across the city as part of the summit.
Anand Sharma, the union minister for commerce and industry and textiles, made the announcement while inaugurating 'Kaivalam', a four-day World Crafts Summit, on Sunday. The event is organised by the World Crafts Council (WCC) and Union textiles ministry.
Sharma said, "Creating an academy for arts and handicraft is being given a serious thought. I do hope that with all possible support this becomes a reality." He said that the handicraft industry suffers largely due to poverty among weavers and banks ought to support them with easy access to loans. "Last November I was in a weaving village near Benaras. The saris were beautiful but the weavers didn't earn enough to feed their families. Access to easy credit has to be available for artisans and banks have to be supportive. Sometimes they (artisans) will default but this is a very small number," he said.
On FDI in multi-brand retail sector, Sharma said the decision of the Centre was taken by consensus and no state could decide for another or deprive them if they choose to go ahead with the Centre's decision. "Only 10 states who wanted it have been notified. Other states can also join. However, it is left to them (states) to decide whether to join or not," Sharma said.
Exhibits from 40 countries, including from Kenya, Brazil, Mexico, Rwanda, Niger and Uzbekistan are on display at the ITC Grand Chola in Guindy, where the summit is being held. Interdisciplinary exhibitions are being held at various art galleries across the city as part of the summit.
