Indian Handicrafts: Growing or Depleting?
IOSR Journal of Business and Management (IOSR-JBM) e-ISSN: 2278-487X, p-ISSN: 2319-7668
PP 07-13 www.iosrjournals.org Indian Handicrafts: Growing or Depleting?
Ms. Shreya Jadhav,
Freelance Faculty & Trainer, Mumbai
Abstract: The Indian handicraft industry forms a major part of the rich cultural heritage of the country. It is an unorganized, decentralized, labour intensive cottage industry. Some of the strengths identified are availability of abundant & cheap labour in the country, use of local resources, low capital investment and unique craftsmanship in the manufacturing of products along with increasing appreciation by international consumers.
Despite the strengths, the industry faces a number of problems in the country such as low literacy and education levels, lack of modern / technological skills & lack of adequate finance. The planning commission acknowledges the fact that the unorganized sector that constitutes about 93% of the workforce doesn’t have a structured system to support acquiring or upgrading of skills. The 12th Five Year Plan’s vision for the handicraft sector includes creation of globally competitive handicrafts and provision of sustainable livelihood opportunities to the artisans through innovative product designs, better product quality & use of technology while preserving traditional art. Various schemes have been designed and efforts have been taken to achieve this vision. How effective are these efforts, remains questionable.
This case, through a secondary literary study presents the current situation of the handicraft sector and the artisans alike in order to facilitate analysis of problems and identification of developmental pathways.
Introduction:
In the words of Prof. C. K. Prahalad, Paul & Ruth McCracken Distinguished University Professor,
Ross School of Business, University of Michigan, “India needs to focus on the flowering of arts, science, and literature. The goal is to see India become the world‟s
PP 07-13 www.iosrjournals.org Indian Handicrafts: Growing or Depleting?
Ms. Shreya Jadhav,
Freelance Faculty & Trainer, Mumbai
Abstract: The Indian handicraft industry forms a major part of the rich cultural heritage of the country. It is an unorganized, decentralized, labour intensive cottage industry. Some of the strengths identified are availability of abundant & cheap labour in the country, use of local resources, low capital investment and unique craftsmanship in the manufacturing of products along with increasing appreciation by international consumers.
Despite the strengths, the industry faces a number of problems in the country such as low literacy and education levels, lack of modern / technological skills & lack of adequate finance. The planning commission acknowledges the fact that the unorganized sector that constitutes about 93% of the workforce doesn’t have a structured system to support acquiring or upgrading of skills. The 12th Five Year Plan’s vision for the handicraft sector includes creation of globally competitive handicrafts and provision of sustainable livelihood opportunities to the artisans through innovative product designs, better product quality & use of technology while preserving traditional art. Various schemes have been designed and efforts have been taken to achieve this vision. How effective are these efforts, remains questionable.
This case, through a secondary literary study presents the current situation of the handicraft sector and the artisans alike in order to facilitate analysis of problems and identification of developmental pathways.
Introduction:
In the words of Prof. C. K. Prahalad, Paul & Ruth McCracken Distinguished University Professor,
Ross School of Business, University of Michigan, “India needs to focus on the flowering of arts, science, and literature. The goal is to see India become the world‟s
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