The GI Mahotsav, organized by the Ministry of MSME, is a significant platform promoting India’s cultural heritage via Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged items. Held in Guwahati by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, this event features GI products from across India, with a focus on the northeast. Various GI-tagged food products, handicrafts, and textiles representing diverse state identities are on display, with the northeast alone boasting nearly 40 GI-recognized products, many originating from rural areas.
The Mahotsav offers artisans, farmers, and small producers a national and international marketing avenue, expanding their reach beyond local markets. Exhibitors are showcasing innovative value-added GI products, such as organic Assam Orthodox teas blended with natural herbs and spices, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern consumer preferences. This blend of heritage, health benefits, and market appeal has attracted significant interest from buyers and visitors alike.
Kanchan Joshi, Director of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, highlighted the government’s vision of promoting GI products, emphasizing the cultural and heritage significance of each state’s unique offerings. The event aims to raise awareness about GI products, especially those from the northeast, with a focus on popularizing the 39 identified GI products from the region nationwide. GI-tagged goods are seen as pivotal in empowering rural economies, potentially creating numerous first-generation entrepreneurs and sustainable livelihoods.
Advisor to the PHD Chamber and former NSIC Chairman H. P. Kumar stressed the importance of GI products in fostering inclusive growth and heritage-led development. Through the GI Mahotsav, producers are not only connected with MSME schemes and market opportunities but also receive support in understanding intellectual property rights, further solidifying GI products as drivers of economic growth and cultural preservation.
