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Union Textiles Minister Shri Shankersinh Vaghela presented the `UNESCO – CCI Seal of Excellence Awards for Handicrafts Products in South Asia’ here today. Speaking on the occasion he said that in the global economy today and with WTO regulations coming into operation, the areas of concern particularly for the artisanal products sector relate to quality, social and environmental factors and marketability in conformity with the international standards. The responsibility lies with all partner country Governments, the NGOs and producer groups to work together not only to disseminate awareness amongst all producer groups and craftpersons about the need to comply with these norms but also to institutionalize a mechanism by which craftpersons and the various producer groups are enabled to meet these standards of production excellence. He added that it is in this perspective that UNESCO-Seal of Excellence Award will play a critical role in upgrading the standards of the artisanal products.
Shri Vaghela said that he would take this opportunity to impress upon all the member countries of the World Craft Council to come together and form a common South-South Exchange platform for SAARC, ASEAN, Latin American & African craft producing nations for showcasing the products of the artisans and promoting common trade events on reciprocal basis.
The Seal of Excellence Awards of UNESCO was started jointly with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Handicrafts Promotion and Development Association (AHPADA) in the year 2002 and is now being promoted for the first time in the SAARC countries from this year (2004). This joint initiative was agreed to during the World Craft Council (WCC) – Asia Pacific Assembly held in Dhaka in October, 2003. The Seal of Excellence for Handicraft Products in South Asia enhances international awareness of handicrafts of SAARC countries. At the same time it serves as a quality control mechanism and marketing device for the promotion of handmade traditional and/or innovative craft from the region.
From India 27 outstanding products were selected as Indian nominations for International Jury Selection Committee Meeting conducted on 12th October, 2004. From 4 countries in the SAARC Region – Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka a total of 51 craft products were received for the 2004 Seal of Excellence.
Thus, a total of 78 products received from 5 countries (including India) in 7 different categories such as Textiles; natural Fibre (Carpets, Bags, Baskets); Ceramics (Clay, Earthenware, Pottery); Paintings; Wood & Stone (Precious Jade etc.); Metal (Gold, Silver, Bronze, etc.); Jewellery were placed before an International Jury for selection of Seal of Excellence on 12th October, 2004. A total of 35 products have been selected for Seal of Excellence as under: Bangladesh-6; India-21; Nepal-1; Pakistan-5 and Sri Lanka-2.
To commemorate the Seal of Excellence Award Ceremony several events are also being organized. International Design & Product Development Workshop on 5 Eco-friendly crafts – Cane & Bamboo, Natural Fibre, Vegetable Dying, Ceramics & Pottery and Handcrafted Textiles is being organized at Handicrafts Bhawan, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, New Delhi from 13th to 22nd October, 2004. About 80 international and national craftspersons, designers and experts belonging to these crafts are participating. This opportunity will provide valued interactive exchange of experience not only amongst the craftspersons of different countries but also with design experts from India and abroad.
A land mark exhibition of the masterpieces created by the Shilp Guru-2002 the living legends of creativity who have contributed to the development of this sector, is being organized at Handicrafts Bhawan, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, New Delhi from 13th to 22nd October, 2004. An exhibition of selected products for Seal of Excellence Awards is also being organized at Handicrafts Bhawan, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, New Delhi from 13th to 22nd October, 2004. An International Buyers-Sellers Meet is being organized at Gift Fair Complex, Pragati Maidan, from 13th to 22nd October, 2004.
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