After GI,chikankari to get craftmark,logo

This was discussed at a two-day workshop,organised in the state capital since Friday. Organised by the Network for Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (NEED),the workshop saw officials from the state Small Scale Industries Department,Export Promotion Bureau and craft associations come together to find ways for promoting and saving the heritage craft of chikankari.

Talking on the issue,Anil Singh of NEED said,“It is ironical that although chikankari was the first craft from UP that applied for the GI certification and also got it,the artisans working in this sector are yet to get the complete benefit. There is a need for creating a distinct identify for the heritage craft and a logo along with the craftmark will go a long way in doing so.”

The All India Artisans and Craft Workers Welfare Association (AIACA),an organisation working towards providing craft mark registration to artisans’ products,will be playing an active role in this. Nupur Bahl of AIACA said the craftmark is a symbol which helps people differentiate between products made by hand and by powerlooms. She said by getting the craftmark,the chikankari craft of Lucknow will be able to fight against the Chinese imitation.

Principal Secretary (Infrastructure Development) VN Garg said that after GI,the chicankari workers should be bought together as an organised sector and given benefits like their counterparts in other industries.