The vibrant diversity of India’s tribal handicrafts came alive with the inauguration of the Gandhi Shilp Bazaar at the International Centre Goa, Dona Paula, today. The exhibition aims to celebrate the country’s rich artisanal heritage and provide a platform for skilled craftsmen from across India to showcase their traditional creations.
The event is organised by the Assam Small Industries Development Corporation (ASIDC) and sponsored by the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India under the National Handicrafts Development Programme (NHDP). The bazaar features exclusive tribal handicrafts sourced from the North Eastern states and other parts of the country.
The exhibition was inaugurated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony by
Sagun Velip, Director of the Department of Handicrafts, Textiles and Coir, Government of Goa. The ceremony was held in the distinguished presence of Deeptansu Haldar, Regional Director (Western Region), Development Commissioner (Handicrafts); Saji Prabhakaran, Assistant Director, Handicraft Service Centre, Panjim; and Debashish Das, Programme Coordinator, ASIDC, Guwahati.
Addressing the gathering, Sagun Velip appreciated the dedication of artisans who travelled from different parts of the country to participate in the bazaar. He highlighted that such initiatives play a vital role in preserving traditional crafts and offer the Goan public a unique opportunity to witness authentic tribal artistry.
Deeptansu Haldar spoke about the extensive efforts undertaken by the organisers to bring the event to Goa. He also interacted with visitors and addressed their queries regarding government initiatives for the handicrafts sector. He assured that existing schemes would be strengthened and new initiatives proposed in the coming financial year to further support artisans and promote traditional crafts.
The bazaar features a curated collection of iconic crafts from across India, including Assamese Mekhala Chador, Maharashtra Banjara Embroidery, Madhya Pradesh Gond Paintings, Uttarakhand Moonj Craft, and Bastar Dokra Craft, reflecting the rich cultural diversity and craftsmanship of the country.
The Gandhi Shilp Bazaar will remain open to the public daily from 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM until March 24, 2026. Visitors are encouraged to attend the exhibition, interact with artisans, and support the preservation of India’s traditional handicrafts.
