**Executive Summary**
The President of India conferred the Shilp Guru Awards and National Handicraft Awards for 2023 and 2024 on December 9, 2025, in New Delhi. Forty-eight master craftspersons and designers were honored, including twenty women artisans. The awards recognize exceptional contributions to the handicrafts sector.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Awards Ceremony:**
* The Shilp Guru Awards and National Handicraft Awards for 2023 and 2024 were presented by the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu.
* The ceremony took place at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi.
* It celebrated contributions to the handicrafts sector.
* **Award Details:**
* A total of 48 awards were presented.
* 12 were Shilp Guru Awards.
* 36 were National Awards (including 2 Design & Innovation Awards).
* 20 of the awardees were women artisans.
* Awardees represented a spectrum of crafts, including woodwork, metal craft, clay modeling, jute craft, hand-printed textiles, and more.
* **Statements:**
* The President emphasized artisans' role in preserving India's cultural heritage and adapting to new markets and technologies.
* The Union Minister of Textiles highlighted the sector's importance in India's socio-economic landscape and the government's commitment to strengthening it.
* The Minister of State for Textiles noted the ceremony as a celebration of India's artisans.
* The Secretary (Textiles) noted that the awards serve as a major source of encouragement for the country's craft community.
* The Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) reaffirmed the Ministry's commitment to strengthening the handicrafts ecosystem.
**Impact Analysis**
**Artisans:**
* **Impact:** Recognition of their contributions to preserving India's cultural heritage and promoting socio-economic development. Inspiration to continue their creative pursuits.
* **Action Required:** Continue to innovate and adapt to new technologies and markets while maintaining the authenticity of their craft.
**Ministry of Textiles:**
* **Impact:** Opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to strengthening the handicrafts ecosystem and empowering artisans.
* **Action Required:** Continue to support and develop programs that promote product diversification, encourage the use of natural fibers, and support second-generation entrepreneurs.
**Handicrafts Sector:**
* **Impact:** Increased visibility and recognition of the sector's importance in cultural preservation, sustainability, and global competitiveness.
* **Action Required:** Continue to promote sustainable practices, embrace new technologies, and adapt to evolving market demands.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Textiles: The ministry responsible for the textiles sector in India, which includes handicrafts.
Shilp Guru Awards: A national award recognizing master craftspersons in the handicrafts sector.
National Handicraft Awards: A national award recognizing outstanding contributions in the handicrafts sector.
Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi: The location where the award ceremony was held.
National Handicrafts Development Programme: A program aimed at strengthening the handicrafts sector.
Ministry of Textiles
President of India Confers Shilp Guru and
National Handicraft Awards for 2023 & 2024
48 Master Craftspersons and Designers Honoured; 20
Women Artisans Among Awardees
प्रव तथ: 09 DEC 2025 5:14PM by PIB Delhi
President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, today conferred the Shilp Guru Awards and National
Handicraft Awards for 2023 and 2024 in a special ceremony held at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi. The
event celebrated exemplary contributions of India’s master craftspersons, designers, start-ups and
innovators in the handicrafts sector.
The ceremony was attended by Shri Giriraj Singh, Union Minister of Textiles; Shri Pabitra
Margherita, Minister of State for Textiles; Smt. Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary (Textiles); and Smt.
Amrit Raj, Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), along with artisans, industry leaders, exporters,
designers and senior officials.
A total of 48 awards were presented, including:
12 Shilp Guru Awards
36 National Awards, including 2 Design & Innovation Awards (artisan–designer collaboration)
Among the awardees, 20 are women artisans, reflecting the growing participation and leadership of
women in the handicrafts sector.
Awardees represented a wide spectrum of crafts including woodwork, metal craft, clay modelling, jute
craft, hand-printed textiles, Pattachitra, artistic textiles, leather puppetry, terracotta, cane & bamboo, stone
carving, papier-mâché, carpets, toys, dolls , puppets etc.In her address, the President said that India’s artisans are the living threads of India’s cultural tapestry and
the true custodians of the nation’s artistic heritage. She emphasized that artisans have preserved traditions
across generations not by resisting change but by adapting to new markets, technologies and evolving
tastes while retaining the authenticity of their craft. She further noted that the handicrafts sector plays a
crucial role in rural livelihood, women’s empowerment and sustainability, and has emerged as an
important vehicle of inclusive and equitable development. Referring to India’s ancient reverence for
craftsmanship, she remarked that Indian artisans demonstrate how beauty and sustainability can coexist,
especially at a time when global institutions are emphasizing environmental responsibility. President said
that by developing artisans’ skills, adopting new technologies, and increasing investment, young
entrepreneurs can take handicraft production and markets to new heights.The Union Minister of Textiles, Shri Giriraj Singh, expressed pride in the achievements of the award
recipients and highlighted the irreplaceable role of the handicrafts sector in India’s socio-economic
landscape. He said that handicrafts represent one of the most significant employment-generating sectors in
the country, particularly for women and marginalized communities. The Minister reaffirmed the
government’s commitment to strengthening the sector by promoting product diversification, encouraging
the use of natural fibres such as jute and water hyacinth, and supporting second-generation entrepreneurs
through various schemes under the National Handicrafts Development Programme. He also reiterated the
vision of “Vocal for Local” and “Viksit Bharat,” emphasizing the sector’s importance in cultural
preservation, sustainability and global competitiveness.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister of State for Textiles, Shri Pabitra Margherita, said that the
ceremony was not merely an award function but a celebration of the remarkable journey of India’s
artisans. He observed that handicrafts are not just products but expressions of human emotion and cultural
memory that travel from rural courtyards to global markets. He emphasized that each handcrafted item
carries India’s identity, reflecting the creativity of artisans whose skills transcend boundaries.
Smt. Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary (Textiles), , said that the awards serve as a major source of
encouragement for the country’s craft community and reflect the nation’s deep respect for traditional craft
practices. She highlighted that such recognition inspires artisans to continue their creative pursuits while
helping preserve India’s cultural heritage.
In her closing remarks, the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Smt. Amrit Raj, expressed
gratitude on behalf of the Ministry of Textiles to the Hon’ble President of India, the Hon’ble Union
Minister of Textiles, the Hon’ble Minister of State for Textiles and the Secretary (Textiles) for their
presence and continued support for the artisans of the country. She reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment
to strengthening the handicrafts ecosystem and empowering artisans who form the backbone of India’s
creative heritage.
********
MAM
(रलीज़ आईडी: 2200929) आगंतुक पटल : 1732
इस वज्ञ को इन भाषाओ ंम पढ़: Kannada , Odia , Urdu , ही