Delhi Government Issues Guidelines for State Handicrafts Awards

The Delhi government has introduced guidelines for the Rajya Shilpkar and Rajya Dakshata Puraskar to enhance local handicrafts. Prize money has been increased significantly to support artisans, including women and persons with disabilities.

India

-Krishna Kripa

The
Delhi
government
has
introduced
new
guidelines
to
award
the
Rajya
Shilpkar
and
Rajya
Dakshata
Puraskar.
This
initiative
aims
to
support
local
handicrafts
and
honour
skilled
artisans
in
24
categories,
officials
announced
on
Friday.
The
awards
include
six
Rajya
Shilpkar
Puraskar,
with
one
specifically
for
women,
and
18
Rajya
Dakshata
Puraskar.

Last
October,
the
government
tripled
the
prize
money
and
broadened
the
awards’
scope.
Now,
they
include
women,
persons
with
disabilities,
startups,
and
innovators.
The
Rajya
Shilpkar
Puraskar
now
offers
a
cash
prize
of
Rs
1
lakh,
increased
from
Rs
30,000.
Meanwhile,
the
Rajya
Dakshata
Puraskar
provides
Rs
75,000,
up
from
Rs
20,000.

Selection
Process
for
Artisans

Applicants
must
submit
two
samples
in
different
categories
along
with
technical
details
of
their
work.
A
two-tier
selection
process
is
in
place.
It
starts
with
an
initial
screening
followed
by
a
skill
test.
A
screening
committee
will
shortlist
applicants,
while
a
state-level
committee
led
by
the
secretary
of
industries
will
make
the
final
selections.

The
Rajya
Dakshata
Puraskar
is
a
lifetime
achievement
award
for
exceptional
master
crafts
persons.
It
acknowledges
their
contributions
to
handicrafts’
growth
and
development.
This
award
also
encourages
preserving
traditional
crafts
and
excellence
in
workmanship.

Rich
Handicraft
Heritage

Delhi
boasts
a
rich
heritage
in
handicrafts
that
significantly
contributes
to
employment
generation
and
economic
growth.
The
city
is
renowned
for
crafts
like
brassware,
woodcraft,
cloth
paintings,
papier-mache,
lac
bangles
and
jewellery,
terracotta,
and
stuffed
toys.

Officials
noted
that
there
are
over
20,000
registered
artisans
in
the
national
capital.
These
artisans
play
a
crucial
role
in
promoting
local
crafts
and
generating
foreign
exchange
earnings.

The
initiative
to
recognise
artisans
through
these
awards
underscores
the
importance
of
preserving
traditional
crafts
while
encouraging
innovation
and
excellence
in
craftsmanship.

With
inputs
from
PTI