Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 09 December 2025
The Directorate of Industries, A&N Islands, is celebrating National Handicrafts Week from December 8 to 14, honouring the artistry, resilience, and cultural legacy of India’s craftspeople. The weeklong event highlights the significant contribution of artisans while reaffirming efforts to preserve and promote the nation’s rich handicraft traditions.
Supporting the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s call to uplift local artisans, citizens have been encouraged to purchase indigenous handicraft products and share their experiences online using the hashtags #MyHandicraftsMyPride and #MyProductMyPride. The initiative aims to boost market visibility, improve access to buyers, and enhance income opportunities for artisans, strengthening the spirit of swadeshi and self-reliance.
To mark the occasion, a Handicraft Fair and Exhibition has been set up on the first floor of ANE–Sagarika, featuring an extensive display of Island-based crafts. Live demonstrations by artisans are a major attraction, offering visitors firsthand insights into traditional techniques and an opportunity to interact directly with creators of unique handmade products.
The exhibition was inaugurated by Mr. Atul Soni, Director of Industries, in the presence of artisans, officials, and visitors. The event underscored the Administration’s ongoing commitment to support local craftspeople and provide a wider platform for Andaman & Nicobar handicrafts.
Artisans and beneficiaries from ANE–Sagarika, Khadi Gramodyog Bhawan, Coir Board, and the Departments of Rural Development, Panchayati Raj Institutions & Urban Local Bodies, and Tribal Welfare are participating in the fair. Their exhibits showcase a blend of traditional and contemporary crafts that reflect the Islands’ distinctive cultural identity.
The weeklong celebration stands as a tribute to the nation’s master artisans—custodians of a timeless legacy—and reinforces the collective resolve to strengthen and elevate the Islands’ handicraft sector for the future. (Story Based on PR)
