IIT Kanpur, IICD Jaipur collaborate to support rural artisans

NEW DELHI: The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) signed an agreement with the Indian Institute of Crafts and Design (IICD), Jaipur to empower rural artisans and promote the marketing of their products.

The agreement was signed between A R Harish, dean of Research and Development, IIT Kanpur, and Toolika Gupta, director of IICD. The agreement aims to foster collaboration and create opportunities for rural artisans.

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IITK and IICD will engage in student exchange programmes, joint projects, and collaborative activities to foster design thinking within the craft and handmade products sector of Uttar Pradesh. The initiative seeks to cultivate a culture of design thinking among artisans and craft communities throughout the state by seeking the expertise and resources of both institutions.

The collaboration will initially select a group of potters from Bithoor. Subsequently, the project will gradually encompass various products produced under the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme.

The IIT Kanpur and IICD partnership will contribute to the marketing of local and rural products. The primary objective of the collaboration is to preserve traditional art and craft forms. It will focus on creating innovative designs for locally made products and establish a strong connection between artisans, craft communities, and consumers.

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The Ranjit Singh RoziShiksha Kendra (RSK), established at IIT Kanpur in 2021, will oversee the implementation of the objectives under the agreement. The RSK was set up by an IITK alumnus, Ranjit Singh, and his wife, Martha Carreno. As per the institute, the center provides training and encourages entrepreneurship among rural youth, enabling them to produce high-quality products such as apparel, bags, potlis and pouches, clay pottery, and ready-to-eat snacks.

"We are delighted to collaborate with the Indian Institute of Crafts and Design, Jaipur, on this transformative initiative. By combining our expertise in research, design, and development with their rich legacy in the crafts and design sector, we aim to empower rural artisans, preserve traditional art forms, and create marketable products. We hope that this partnership will contribute largely to the socio-economic development in Uttar Pradesh,” A R Harish, dean of Research and Development, IIT Kanpur said.