Digital Platforms Play the Lead

Understanding and adopting digital platforms has become crucial for businesses to ensure visibility and revenue generation. For artisans especially, digital empowerment is an opportunity, which can enable progression and ensure that the legacy of traditional skills thrive in the modern economy. Against this backdrop, a seminar on ‘Digital Gateway for Artisans and Empowerment through E-Commerce Onboarding’ was organized under the Hastkala Setu Yojana as part of the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference. The seminar was held in Mehsana on October 9, 2025. EDII served as the Knowledge Partner for this seminar, graced by Shri Balwant Singh Rajput, Hon’ble Cabinet Minister, Labour, Skill Development and Employment, Govt. of Gujarat, as Chief Guest. In his special address, the Minister underscored the importance of ‘Swadeshi’ and encouraged artisans to leverage digital platforms to promote local products in alignment with the national vision of ‘Vocal for Local’.

Also present on the occasion were Ms. Ardra Agarwal (IAS), Commissioner, Cottage and Rural Industries, Govt. of Gujarat, who highlighted the growing importance of digital tools and e-commerce in today’s economy, and Dr. Sanjay Joshi (IAS), Executive Director, iNDEXT-c, who emphasized the pivotal role of e-commerce in expanding market access for artisans. Dr. Satya Ranjan Acharya, Project Director, Hastkala Setu Yojana, delivered the opening and introductory address, while Mr. Hetal Patel, Additional Commissioner, CC&RI, extended the Vote of Thanks. The seminar brought together eminent speakers from Jio Mart, Government e Marketplace (GeM) and industry expert, who shared valuable insights on digital enablement, onboarding processes and emerging opportunities for artisans in online marketplaces. The session emphasized the importance of digital transformation for artisans and highlighted the important role of skill development, digital literacy and marketing support in promoting business growth. Participants gained important knowledge on product digitization and scaling businesses through e-commerce platforms.

The session witnessed enthusiastic participation from 75 artisanal communities, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), producer groups and micro-entrepreneurs from the handicraft and handloom sectors.

(3rd from R) Shri Balwant Singh Rajput, Hon’ble Cabinet Minister felicitating (3rd from L) Shri Vishnu Suthar, Applique artisan. Also seen are (2nd from R) Ms. Ardra Agarwal (IAS), Commissioner, Cottage and Rural Industries, Govt. of Gujarat; (R) Shri Swaroop P , IAS, Industries and Mines department, Govt. of Gujarat; (L) Dr. Satya Ranjan Acharya Professor & Director-Department of Entrepreneurship Education, EDII and a representative from JioMart.