Dr Virendra Kumar inaugurates Shilp Samagam Mela 2024 at Dilli Haat
Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment inaugurates ‘TULIP’ brand - A Digital Platform for Craft and Community Empowerment
TULIP to provide a platform for economic self-reliance and global exposure to
Artisans via an e-marketplace: Dr Virendra Kumar
Ministry has already created marketing opportunities for over one lakh
individuals: MoS BL Verma
Union Ministry
of Social Justice and Empowerment held a grand opening for the ‘Shilp Samagam
Mela 2024’, today at Dilli Haat, New Delhi. The event is being organized by the
Corporations under the Ministry - National Scheduled Castes Finance and
Development Corporation (NSFDC), National Backward Classes Finance and
Development Corporation (NBCDFC), and National Safai Karmachari Finance and
Development Corporation (NSKFDC).
On this occasion, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment (SJE), Dr Virendra Kumar, declared the Mela open and launched ‘TULIP’ (Traditional Artisans' Upliftment Livelihood Programme). Union Minister of State (SJE), BL Verma, also graced the occasion, along with other senior officials of the Ministry and the Corporation. The goal of TULIP is to empower marginalised artisans by providing them with a platform for global exposure and sales of their products through e-marketing. Under the TULIP brand, artisans from Scheduled Castes (SC), Other Backward Classes (OBC), sanitation workers, and persons with disabilities will have an e-platform to market their products.
Dr Virendra Kumar highlighted the digital initiatives like ‘PM-SURAKSHA Portal’
and ‘PM-DAKSH Portal’, launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, which
enable targeted groups to access subsidised loan schemes and skill development
training through online platforms. Through initiatives like the ‘Vishwas
Yojana’ and ‘Namaste Yojana’, financial assistance and protection are being
extended to the Scheduled Caste, Backward Class, and sanitation worker
communities. The Minister noted that the TULIP Digital Platform for e-commerce
will provide a platform for economic self-reliance and global exposure to
artisans via an e-marketplace.
MoS
BL Verma mentioned that the Ministry has already created marketing
opportunities for over one lakh individuals and that fairs like the Shilp
Samagam will continue in the future. During the inauguration, the ‘Rang
Paridhan’ programme showcased uniforms made from the products of artisans. This
initiative is a unique step towards honouring the skills and cultural diversity
of artisans. Under this initiative, the Ministry's premier corporations will
use uniforms crafted by local artisans for their personnel, symbolising India’s
cultural heritage, the Minister said.
Approximately
5.6 million people and their families have already benefited from loan
assistance, and 614,000 young individuals have received skill training. Through
these schemes, targeted groups are being economically empowered to integrate
into the mainstream. The fair, being organised from 5th -15th November,
would showcase traditional handicrafts from 16 states across 105 stalls. The
products include metal crafts, wooden artifacts, cane and bamboo products,
pottery, handloom items, jewellery, leather goods, and various attractive
textiles. The Fair will also feature colourful cultural programs each evening.