When local artisans and craftsmen are supported and given access to broader markets, the essence of ‘Vocal for Local’ and Swadeshi is truly realized. The Gujarat government, under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel’s leadership, is actively working to enhance local craftsmanship through various initiatives by the Cottage and Rural Industries Department. Organizations like the Gujarat State Handloom and Handicraft Development Corporation, Garvi Gurjari, and iNDEXT-C are pivotal in this endeavor.
These initiatives aim to empower artisans in villages and small towns associated with handloom and handicrafts by providing skill training, financial aid, and robust marketing assistance to facilitate product sales on larger platforms. For instance, artisans like Gayatri Parmar from Gandhinagar have benefited from these programs, improving their skills and accessing better opportunities.
In Banaskantha district, Dakshaben Rami, an artisan from Ambaji, has found a new identity with government support. By creating eco-friendly products, such as Ganpati idols from coconut fibers offered at the Ambaji temple, she exemplifies the “waste to best” concept. Her organization, Nandanvan Adivasi Mahila Sahkari Mandli, stands as a testament to women’s empowerment and self-reliance, having trained thousands of women and bolstering the Vocal for Local campaign.
Rajiben Vankar from Avadhnagar village in Bhuj taluka, Kutch district, has been weaving for years. Inspired by government initiatives on cleanliness and environmental protection, she now crafts items like bags, mats, seats, and stools from waste plastic, making 22 surrounding villages plastic-free and providing jobs to around 150 women. With state support in terms of financial aid and marketing platforms, Rajiben has successfully expanded her business.
Sanjay Josh, Director of iNDEXT-C, highlighted the Gujarat government’s efforts to promote the Swadeshi movement and boost the rural economy by enabling artisans to participate in national fairs and exhibitions. In 2025–26 alone, 5,306 artisans, including 1,840 women artisans, were engaged in 49 fairs and exhibitions. The issuance of over 74,000 artisan identity cards, with a significant portion going to women artisans, has not only provided employment but also stimulated the economy.
Under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel’s guidance, the Gujarat government continues to create avenues for local handicraft artisans to exhibit and sell their products. This has led to a growing involvement of local and women artisans in the handloom and handicraft sector, aligning with the vision of “Self-Reliant Gujarat for a Self-Reliant India.”
