India’s Handicrafts & Gifts Fair Started

Maria Clemencia Rodriguez De Santos (right), First Lady of Republic of Colombia, and Zohra Chatterji (left), India’s Secretary of Ministry of Textiles, are at briefing to journalists after the opening ceremony of the “37th Indian Handicrafts & Gifts Fair 2014" on Monday. — Maria Clemencia Rodriguez De Santos (right), First Lady of Republic of Colombia, and Zohra Chatterji (left), India’s Secretary of Ministry of Textiles, are at briefing to journalists after the opening ceremony of the “37th Indian Handicrafts & Gifts Fair 2014″ on Monday.

Story and photos by Chhay Sophal from India

Delhi-NCR (17 Feb 2014): India’s Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) on Monday opens a four-day long ‘Indian Handicrafts & Gifts Fair at India Expo Centre & Mart, Greater Noida, in Delhi-NCR for 2014 to promote the Indian Handicrafts trade employing over 7million artisans, including a larger number of women and people belonging to weaker section.

The event known as the “37th Indian Handicrafts & Gifts Fair (IHGF) 2014” starting today is expecting to bring over 2,650 exhibitors, including 900 permanent marts, drawn from various regions and states of India displaying a very wide variety of handicrafts.

According to the event report, the major product categories are Houseware, Home textiles, Furniture, Cane and Bamboo, X-Mas decorations, Fashion Jewellery and Lamp & Lighting. Lace craft from Narsapur, Andhra Pradesh will also be on display.

Zohra Chatterji, India’s Secretary of Ministry of Textiles, launched the event with the presence of Maria Clemencia Rodriguez De Santos, First Lady of Republic of Colombia, and other national and international delegates, including journalists.

The fair which was initiated by EPCH in 1994 is held twice a year and attracts large numbers of overseas buyers who come to source their requirements from Indian companies participating in the event.

The fair is aimed at providing a platform to the exporting community and to the importing community of the world to conduct business based on mutual interest.