Why in News?
- The Indian Railways has announced its patronage for ‘Aabhar’, an online store launched on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) to promote local artisans, weavers, and handicraft producers under One District One Product (ODOP) and Geographical Indication (GI) frameworks.
- The initiative aligns with the government’s ‘Vocal for Local’ campaign and complements the ‘One Station One Product’ (OSOP) scheme.
Relevance :
GS-2 (Governance):
- Government initiatives for inclusive, transparent procurement (GeM, ODOP, OSOP).
- Institutional convergence between MoT, KVIC, CCIE, and Indian Railways for MSME empowerment.
GS-3 (Economy):
- Promotion of local industries and rural artisans under Atmanirbhar Bharat and Vocal for Local.
- Integration of traditional crafts into digital marketplaces and sustainable consumption models.
GS-1 (Culture):
- Preservation and promotion of India’s cultural heritage through handicrafts, GI-tagged products, and handlooms.
Basic Concept
- ‘Aabhar’ Online Store:
An e-commerce platform on GeM that curates gift and souvenir items crafted by Indian artisans, handloom weavers, tribal producers, and women-led enterprises. - Implementing Partners:
- Central Cottage Industries Emporium (CCIE)
- Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC)
- State Handloom and Handicraft Emporiums
- Purpose:
To integrate local handicrafts and heritage products into official gifting and events by government departments, PSUs, and institutions.
Key Objectives
- Promote Local Heritage: Showcase India’s cultural richness through handlooms, handicrafts, and tribal art.
- Empower Artisans: Provide market access and stable demand for marginalized rural producers and women entrepreneurs.
- Support Sustainable Development: Encourage eco-friendly, handmade products over mass-produced imports.
- Institutional Patronage: Use Indian Railways’ nationwide presence to drive large-scale adoption in government procurement.
Institutional Linkages
- Platform: Hosted on GeM (Government e-Marketplace) for transparent, direct sourcing.
- Alignment with Policies:
- Vocal for Local
- Make in India
- Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan
- ODOP and GI Promotion Initiatives
- Railways’ Precedent: Builds upon the success of ‘One Station One Product’ (OSOP) — stalls across railway stations promoting local crafts, such as Banarasi silk (Varanasi), chikankari (Lucknow), and bamboo crafts (Assam).
Significance
- Economic: Expands domestic market opportunities for micro and small enterprises (MSMEs).
- Social: Promotes inclusive growth by uplifting tribal, rural, and women artisans.
- Cultural: Reinforces India’s intangible heritage and craftsmanship traditions.
- Administrative: Encourages ethical procurement practices within government departments.
Challenges
- Logistics and Delivery: Ensuring efficient supply chain and quality control from rural producers to buyers.
- Digital Literacy: Need for capacity-building among artisans for GeM onboarding.
- Sustained Demand: Maintaining consistent government and institutional orders beyond ceremonial occasions.
Other Initiatives
- ODOP (One District One Product): Promotes district-specific handicrafts or produce.
- GI Tagging: Protects intellectual property and authenticity of traditional crafts.
- OSOP (One Station One Product): Provides physical retail space to artisans at railway stations.
- PM Vishwakarma Yojana: Supports traditional artisans and craftspeople through financial and skill-based aid.
