In the light of the Covid-19 pandemic that has thrown unprecedented challenges, the focus of the government has shifted towards “Vocal for Local” and building an “Aatmanirbhar Bharat”.
In furtherance to its many initiatives towards a self-reliant India, TRIFED led by Union Tribal Welfare Minister Arjun Munda is now collaborating with Ministry of Culture and to position the rich legacy of our indigenous art and craft forms and traditions at a global level and provide further access and a wider range.
Munda led TRIFED and Ministry of Culture have decided to set up Atmanirbhar Tribal Centre, a tribal design demonstration and training, marketing centre in the historic premises of Red Fort in Delhi. The barraks of Red Fort which have such an importance in our history will be converted into a tribal design lab for more than 500 tribal artisans and will focus specifically on Geographical Indication tagged products.
Master craftsmen and renowned designers associated with Tribes India and TRIFED will impart their knowledge of the craft and art traditions to tribal artisans annually so that unique tribal art forms and crafts can be showcased here.
India has a rich legacy of indigenous products, be it handicrafts, handlooms, and other produce. As the national nodal agency. It is in this context that Geographical Indication or GI tagging has acquired even more of an importance.
The Geographical Indication, which has been recognized by the World Trade Organization, is used to denote the geographical territory from where a product, be it an agricultural produce, natural product or manufactured, and also conveys assurance of qualities or attributes that are unique to that specific geographic region.
Geographical Indications can be registered, to ensure that genuine products of the rightful producers are marketed, and also provides for infringement action against their unauthorized use.
TRIFED, as the nodal agency working for tribal empowerment, which has been working in improving the income and livelihoods of the tribal people, while preserving their way of life and traditions, will now expand its scope to GI tagged products.
Along with the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Ministry of Culture, Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce; India Posts; Ministry of Tourism, TRIFED has taken up the cause of promotion of GI Tag products along with tribal products and transform them into a brand, symbolizing empowerment of tribal artisans.