In a landmark step towards safeguarding Odisha’s timeless craft traditions, the state government convened a high-level consultative workshop on the “Odisha Handicraft Draft Policy–2026” at the Mayfair Hotel today.
The policy has been crafted with one clear mission: placing the welfare of handicraft artisans front and centre while protecting, preserving, and promoting the state’s rich cultural heritage.
Handloom, Weaving and Handicrafts Minister Pradeep Bal Samanta, who graced the event as chief guest, declared, “Handicrafts are the pulsating heartbeat of our culture and the living proof of our identity. Our artisans are the true guardians of this priceless legacy. That is why the Odisha Handicraft Draft Policy–2026 has been prepared with their welfare as its core focus.
”Setting the tone for an ambitious roadmap, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Handloom, Weaving and Handicrafts Department, Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar, IAS, presented a detailed overview of the draft. She revealed that the policy has been aligned with the visionary goals of “Developed Odisha @2036” and the Odisha Vision Document. “The final policy will be shaped by constructive inputs from intellectuals, experts, designers, academicians, exporters and, most importantly, the artisans themselves,” he added.
The day-long deliberations zeroed in on real-world challenges and game-changing opportunities. Participants brainstormed practical solutions on easier market access, competing with machine-made products, ensuring steady raw material supply, attracting young talent through contemporary designs, digital marketing, linking artisans to global value chains, strengthening cooperatives, promoting handicraft industrialisation, incentivising GI-tagged products, and setting up startup incubation centres.
Among the dignitaries who enriched the discussion with their insights were Handicrafts Director Nibedita Prusti, Utkalika Managing Director Pratap Chandra Hota, Padma Shri awardees Binod Maharana and Prabhakar Maharana, senior professors including Dr. Akhila Bihari Ota, Harekrishna Mishra and Kishore Kumar Basa, CSIR-IMMT Director Dr. Ramanuj Narayan, NIFT Director Vibhavari Kumar, and a host of district handicraft officers, national and state award-winning artisans, exporters and cooperative leaders.
The workshop marks the beginning of an inclusive process that promises to transform Odisha’s handicraft sector into a vibrant, sustainable and globally competitive industry—while ensuring that the hands that weave magic continue to thrive.
