Handicrafts constitute an important segment of the de-centralized/unorganized sector of our economy. It is mainly rural based, having reach in a backward and inaccessible area.
Originally, started as a part-time activity in rural areas, it has now transformed into a flourishing economic activity due to significant market demand over the years. Handicrafts have big potential as they hold the key for sustaining not only the existing set of millions of artisans spread over length and breadth of the country but also for an increasingly large number of new entrants in the crafts activity.
Presently, handicraft sector is contributing substantially in employment generation and export but this sector has suffered due to very nature of being unorganized with additional constraints like lack of education, capital, poor exposure to new technologies, an absence of market intelligence and poor institutional framework. In order to overcome these constraints, Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hastashilp Vikas Yojana (BAHVY) was launched in 2001-02 wherein the main thrust is on a projectised, need-based approach for integrated development of potential handicrafts clusters with participation of the craft persons at all stages of implementation of the scheme with the ultimate objective of their empowerment and hence sustainability.
Apar India works seamlessly to help such a demographic to get them skilled which will directly transform their life by teaching them life long skill. As the handicraft is a big contributor to the Indian economy, contributing more than ₹ 10,000 crores.
That is why Apar India partnered with NSDC to fulfill skill India mission and get the lower class of India to a better standard of living.