The World Crafts Forum 2024, organized by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) and the Development Commissioner of Handicrafts, in collaboration with the World Crafts Council (WCC), commenced its inaugural edition in New Delhi from November 22-24, 2024, and will continue in Srinagar from November 25-27. This event marks the 60th anniversary of the global crafts movement initiated by the World Crafts Council International.
Inaugurating the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, Minister of State for Textiles Shri Pabitra Margherita paid tribute to Smt. Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay, a founding member of the WCC. The Minister emphasized that handlooms and handicrafts are not just products but represent stories of patience, skill, heritage, and human identity. He highlighted the central government’s efforts under Prime Minister Narendra Modi to protect and promote these traditional arts through initiatives such as the National Handicrafts Development Program and the Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme. Shri Margherita also celebrated the achievement of over 300 handlooms and handicrafts products earning GI tags and saluted the contributions of the 7 million artisans whose livelihoods depend on the sector. On this occasion, he released the Value of Crafts Report and the commemorative 60 Years of WCC Coffee Table Book.
Rohit Kansal, IAS, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, remarked that the Forum would serve as a turning point in reshaping perceptions of crafts and creating new opportunities for artisans. Similarly, Smt. Amrit Raj, Development Commissioner for Handicrafts, emphasized that the event underscores India’s dedication to preserving its craft heritage while fostering global collaborations.
The Forum brought together craftspeople from 20 countries and artisans from across India to celebrate traditional crafts, with a focus on collaboration, innovation, and sustainability. Organized as a flagship biennial event, the World Crafts Forum is envisioned to rotate across the five geographic regions of the WCC.
Founded by Ms. Aileen Osborn Vanderbilt Webb, Ms. Margaret M. Patch, and Smt. Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay, the WCC has consistently worked to promote crafts globally, with India playing a pivotal role in its initiatives. This landmark event is expected to inspire the younger generation, enhance the global visibility of artisans, and build a more inclusive and resilient crafts ecosystem.