Bengaluru, 13th September 2025 – The Handicrafts and Carpet Sector Skill Council (HCSSC) successfully organized the Industry Meet under the esteemed chairmanship of Shri K.L. Ramesh, Chairman – HCSSC, in the presence of the Council’s Board Members Ms. Jesmina Zeliang (Co-Chairman), Mr. Om Prakash Prahladka (General Secretary), Mr. Rishi Soni (Executive Member), Mr. Dinesh Kumar (Executive Member), Mr. Nirmal Bhandari (Executive Member), Mr. Krishan Kumar (CEO) along with other esteemed Board Members and dignitaries of the Council at La Marvella, Bengaluru. The event brought together industry leaders, and key stakeholders from Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh to deliberate on the future of the Handicrafts and Carpet industry.
In his address, Shri K.L. Ramesh emphasized the critical role such industry engagements play in strengthening the sector, ensuring sustained growth, and preserving India’s rich heritage of Handicrafts and Carpet sector. He urged all industry members to actively participate in shaping skill development strategies that align with industry needs and emerging market trends.
Mr. Krishan Kumar, CEO-HCSSC, further reinforced the Council’s commitment towards facilitating structured skill development interventions, bridging skill gaps, and promoting sustainable livelihoods for artisans and weavers. He remarked, “This platform serves not only to identify industry challenges but also to collaboratively evolve actionable solutions, ensuring that the sector remains vibrant and competitive.”
The meeting’s key discussions revolved around:
• Assessing the subsector and product-wise industry size across districts and clusters.
• Mapping craft-wise skill gaps and artisan concentration in key clusters.
• Evaluating the feasibility of setting up Centres of Excellence within industry premises.
• Defining the industry’s skilled manpower requirements for the short and long term
• Reviewing existing skilling and training programs and identifying future needs
• Understanding the need for advanced technologies and futuristic qualifications.
• Preserving dying traditional crafts requiring urgent attention.
Industry representatives from Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh unanimously expressed their belief in the value of such forums. They shared that these deliberations provided not only clarity on immediate challenges but also offered insightful perspectives for a sustainable and progressive way forward.
The event concluded with a networking lunch, facilitating further interactions between industry members, policy makers, and skill development stakeholders.
For further information, please contact:
HCSSC Communications Office
hcssc@hcssc.in
communication@hcssc.in