Greater Noida, Sunday, April 26, 2026: What started as a small 700-square-foot office with just three people has today evolved into one of India’s most influential global exhibition ecosystems. This transformation story belongs to Dr. Rakesh Kumar, widely recognized as the “Handicraft Man of India.”
Speaking at a special episode of Ten Talks, he shared a deeply insightful narrative of vision, risk-taking, and relentless consistency that reshaped India’s handicrafts and exhibition landscape.
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The “Man of 7 Es” and a Career Built on Global Exposure
Known as the “Man of 7 Es”—Economy, Exports, Exhibitions, Entrepreneurship, Energetic and Efficient —Dr. Kumar’s journey began with strong academic grounding in foreign trade and public administration.
His early professional stints with:
* Apparel Export Promotion Council
* Federation of Indian Export Organisations
provided critical exposure to international markets, trade fairs, and export ecosystems, laying the foundation for his future leadership.
The Turning Point: Building Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts from Scratch
The defining chapter began in 1986, when he joined EPCH as a founding member.
* Only 3 team members
* Just 37 exporters
* No structured roadmap
At a time when “handicrafts” had little global recognition, Dr. Kumar and his team:
* Built international networks
* Participated in global fairs (starting with Birmingham, UK)
* Tackled barriers like forex limits, visas, and lack of communication tools
This groundwork introduced Indian craftsmanship to the world stage.
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The Bold Move That Changed Everything: Bringing Global Buyers to India
In 1994, Dr. Kumar made a game-changing decision—to host an international trade fair in India exclusively for overseas buyers at Pragati Maidan.
Despite skepticism, the results were historic:
* 300+ international buyers
* 200+ exhibitors
* Rapid expansion to all 16 halls over time
This marked a paradigm shift:
Indian handicrafts were no longer just “crafts” but repositioned as home décor, lifestyle, furniture, and fashion products.
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Cracking Global Markets: Japan Breakthrough with Japan External Trade Organization
Breaking into Japan—a highly sophisticated market—was another milestone.
Through collaboration with JETRO:
* Exporters were trained in Japanese consumer behavior
* Focus on design precision and cultural alignment
Result:
🏆 JETRO Commendation Award — making Dr. Kumar the first Indian recipient
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Creating a Global Landmark: India Expo Mart
One of his most visionary achievements was establishing India Expo Mart:
Key highlights:
* World-class exhibition halls
* Convention centers
* Permanent showrooms
* Hospitality infrastructure & helipad
Today, it serves as:
* A global trade hub
* A driver of regional economic growth
* A platform connecting artisans to international buyers
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Expanding Horizons: Hospitality & Future-Ready Vision
Dr. Kumar has extended his ecosystem into:
* International hospitality expos
* Integrated convention & hotel infrastructure
He emphasized that:
The hospitality sector is becoming a major consumer of Indian craftsmanship, opening new revenue streams for artisans.
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Leadership Philosophy: Consistency Above All
His core belief is simple yet powerful:
“Consistency is the most important quality. If you remain consistent, success will inevitably follow.”
He also highlighted:
* Adaptability during COVID-19 (virtual exhibitions)
* Importance of teamwork and resilience
* Future impact of AI and global trade shifts
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Final Takeaway: A Blueprint for India’s Next-Gen Entrepreneurs
Dr. Rakesh Kumar’s journey is more than a success story—it is a scalable blueprint for:
* Building global ecosystems
* Transforming traditional industries
* Creating economic impact at scale
His advice to the youth:
“Opportunities today are far greater—follow your passion, stay committed, and remain consistent.”
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