New Delhi: Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Minister of Communications and Minister of Development of North Eastern Region, visited the vibrant Cultural Corridor set up at Bharat Mandapam yesterday, as part of the ongoing ITU-WTSA 2024 conference. The corridor is designed to share a glimpse of India’s rich heritage with thousands of international delegates participating in the event.
Featuring 14 stalls organized by the Ministry of Textiles and the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MoDONER), the corridor showcases exquisite handlooms and handicrafts from various corners of the country, available for display and purchase.
During his visit, Scindia highlighted the technological advancements in the handloom sector, particularly from the Northeastern Region (NER). Delegates were introduced to India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), which enables cashless transactions for goods and services at the event through UPI services.
A standout feature of the corridor is the demonstration of the North Eastern Handicrafts & Handlooms Development Corporation Ltd (NEHHDC) case study on the application of blockchain technology for the traceability of the Eri cocoon “fibre to fashion” value chain. NEHHDC, in collaboration with LW3, is developing a Digital Product Passport that utilizes blockchain and unique non-clonable QR codes to create a transparent and traceable passport for handloom and handicraft products made from Eri silk. This innovative approach ensures fair trade practices while protecting artisans’ and weavers’ intellectual property, empowering consumers to make informed choices and supporting a more ethical market for handcrafted goods.
The corridor also features three dedicated stalls showcasing handlooms and handicrafts from the Northeastern states. Highlights include the Shaphee Lanphee from Manipur at the Handlooms of North Eastern Region stall, as well as unique cane sling bags and coin purses created by Keisham Babita Devi from Manipur. Additionally, the Technology Adoption in Handlooms of NER stall showcases Manipuri home textiles by Indira Chirom, a National Awardee, providing insights into traditional Manipuri weaving techniques that have been passed down through generations.
Overall, the Cultural Corridor presents a diverse array of handloom and handicraft products from various states, including Kutch shawls and Tangaliya weaves from Gujarat, Manipuri home textiles, Kullu shawls from Himachal Pradesh, and Pochampally Ikat from Telangana.
The visit was part of the side events of the ongoing WTSA 24 & IMC24 being held in New Delhi, marking the beginning of a new chapter in India’s digital journey and reinforcing the country’s commitment to becoming a global leader in advanced communication technologies.