In order to enroll local artisans and provide them with the advantages of official recognition and skill-based government programs, GJEPC and the Hupari Chandi Hastkala Udyog Vikas Foundation organized a PM Vishwakarma Registration Camp at the Silver Hub in Hupari, Maharashtra, on May 18. By placing Hupari’s talented silversmiths under the purview of the PM Vishwakarma Yojana, the program sought to provide them with access to market connections, financial support, and training.
On May 17, GJEPC organized a similar PM Vishwakarma Registration Camp in Kolhapur in association with the RRB Foundation (NGO & Trust), Maharashtra State, and the Gold-Silver Artisans Bahuudeshiya Association.
The second day of the Gap Study was carried out concurrently by GJEPC as part of their Mega Common Facility Center (CFC) plan. Mr. Ravindra Sawant, Chief Manager, Mega CFC, and Mr. Mithilesh Pandey, Director-Membership, GJEPC, led the discussion and presented important conclusions and next steps to assist turn Hupari into an export-ready cluster of silver jewelry.
Upgrading technology to match international production standards, implementing focused talent development programs, and building contemporary infrastructure with testing labs and hallmarking centers were among the main areas of attention.
In order to identify local issues and investigate opportunities in areas like production scalability, branding, packaging, quality assurance, and export documentation, GJEPC also spoke with officials of the Chandi Malak Utpadak Association and Chandi Karkhane Dar Association.
The Gap Study is a component of GJEPC‘s larger plan to establish India as a major exporter of handcrafted silver jewelry and incorporate traditional jewelry-making centers like Hupari into the global value chain.