Secretary, Ministry of Textiles inaugurates 48th edition of IHGF Delhi Fair Autumn at India Expo Mart
Greater Noida – October 16, 2019: Shri Ravi Capoor, Secretary [Textiles], Ministry of Textiles inaugurated the 48TH edition of world’s largest IHGF-Delhi Fair at state-of-the-art exhibition venue India Expo Centre & Mart at Greater Noida today. A large number of overseas buying community buyers from 110 countries have arrived in India to source home, lifestyle, fashion, furniture and textiles products from around 3200 Indian exhibitors. The extravaganza of Indian handicrafts will be taking place from 16-20 October, 2019.
The other dignitaries present during inauguration included Shri Ravi K. Passi, Chairman – EPCH, Shri Sunit Jain, President Fair, Smt. Neetu Singh, Shri Ravindra Miglani, Shri Rajat Asthana, Vice Presidents of the fair, Shri Sagar Mehta, Vice Chairman – EPCH, Shri Rakesh Kumar, Director General – EPCH, Shri R.K. Verma, Director – EPCH, members of the Committee of Administration, overseas buyers, press and media.
While inaugurating the fair, Shri Ravi Capoor first of all expressed his happiness and surprise that fair is almost reaching its 50th edition. He referred to his past association with the handicraft industry dating back to 18 years when IHGF-Delhi started to grow. Crediting EPCH and its member exporters for the industry’s growth and making IHGF-Delhi FAIR unique in several aspects for the participants as well as overseas buyers, Secretary Textiles urged the organizers of IHGF-Delhi fair to work towards multiple growth of IHGF where it could feature over 10,000 exhibitors, a quantum jump from the existing 3200. Shri Capoor shared his grand vision for the entire industry. He said, with the potential of our craft heritage and skills spread all over the country, this entire industry can envision tremendous growth for each and everyone associated with it right from the artisans to the large scale exporters thereby increasing handicrafts exports to Rs. 100,000 crore from the existing Rs. 26,590 crore.
Shri Capoor further spoke of new frontiers that can be conquered by opening handicrafts park, developing spots in the country where tourism and crafts can be converged to offer not just variety and souvenirs but entire experiences. Talking about IHGF-Delhi fair, Secretary Textiles envision a multiple growth in the number of exhibitors with the inclusion of new segments with women entrepreneurs, first generation and artisans centric, giving a whole new dimension to the fair. The entire handicraft industry could work on a sustainable model where entire production capacity could transition into zero waste responsible manufacturing.
He further welcomed the proposal of EPCH l for setting up of handicrafts park in with parks for apparel and handlooms assured of his Ministry support and guidance. He emphasized that moving of production from small organized units to these parks will not be beneficial but will also reduce overhead cost to a large extent.
While welcoming the chief guest, Shri Ravi K. Passi – EPCH This fair has achieved many milestones such as recognition by Limca Book of World’s records, fair facilities have increased manifolds, increase in number of countries from 90 to 110, constant increase in number of exhibitors etc. Behind success of this fair is the faith of the handicrafts exporting community who for the last 25 years continuously participating in the each edition of the show.
Shri Rakesh Kumar, Director General –EPCH while addressing the august gathering at the inaugural ceremony briefed about efforts being taken for sustainable development and preservation of environment by focusing on ‘re-fuse, reduce, reuse and recycle’. Around 50 tons Waste materials like plastic, metal, wood, fabric etc. are being reused to enhance and decorate the look and feel of the show.
Further, in order to reduce the usage of plastics, the Council has decided to do away with bottled water and instead we would be offering metal water bottles to the visitors and exhibitors which can be refilled at the water stations spread across the fair venue. Similarly, 3 MW solar roof top energy is part of the programme and many other initiatives have been taken in this fair to minimise the carbon emissions.
Shri Kumar also elaborated efforts of EPCH since its inception and said that EPCH has come a long way and in the last 30 years it has risen from a 35 member Council to around 11000 member exporters registered from every nook and corner of the country.
Speaking about the India Expo Centre & Mart a state-of-the art exhibition centre which is one of the various infrastructure facilities created by EPCH said venue is amongst the best venues in the country hosting 5 out of 8 big exhibitions held in a year. Recently the venue was host to United Nations CoP 14 on desertification which hosted delegates from 193 Countries which was also addressed by Hon’ble Prime Minister of India. Hon’ble PM has visited the venue three times during 2019.
Various other efforts which EPCH have taken so includes setting up of Handicrafts and Carpet Sector Council,council has initiated VRIKSH – Indian Timber Legality Assessment and Verification Scheme establish chain of custody and legality of the wood which has further been mapped with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) thus giving credibility to the scheme as VRIKSH ensures, encourages and supports sustainable development, encouraging women entrepreneurs and Ms. Ruma Devi is the one of the most successful example who has been awarded Nari Shakti award by PMO for providing support to 22,000 women in Barmer, created digital design register to revolve the conflicts amongst exporters from copying of designs elaborated Shri Kumar.
Along knowledge seminars on various topics by expert faculties, Fashion shows and ramp walks by models adorning fashion jewellery, accessories and utility items sourced from exhibitors of the show will be adding glamour to this congregation of exhibitors and overseas buyers during five days extravaganza.
EPCH is a nodal agency for promoting exports of handicrafts from the Country to various destinations of the world and projecting India’s image abroad as reliable supplier of high quality of handicrafts goods & services.
