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

Bangalore/New Delhi, 23rd December 2024: Mr. K L Ramesh has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Handicrafts and Carpet Sector Skill Council (HCSSC), effective 23rd December 2024. The announcement was made during the recent Governing Council meeting, where Mr. Ramesh was welcomed with great enthusiasm. Mr. Ramesh brings a wealth of experience in leadership roles across various organizations. He has served as Vice President (1996–1998) and President (1998–2000) of the All India Agarbathi Manufacturers Association (AIAMA), Chairman of FAME R&D Center (2000–2004), and Regional Convener (South Zone) and Vice Chairman of the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH). His extensive contributions include roles as Chairman of the Import Raw Materials Committee at Karnataka Agarbathi Manufacturers Cooperative Society (KSAMCS) and Co-Chairman of the Governing Council at HCSSC, New Delhi.

In addition to his professional endeavors, Mr. Ramesh has actively contributed to social and community services. He is the President of Sri Sai Kutumbam Charitable Trust, Trustee of the Sri Shirdi Saibaba Temple Trust (Channapattana), and General Secretary of Asha Kiran Dialysis Center under AMCT. Mr. Ramesh is also a Member of the Community Services Committee of the Rotary Club of Bangalore and COA Member of Rotary Bangalore Vidyaalaya.

Expressing his gratitude, Mr. Ramesh said, I am deeply honored to take on this prestigious role as Chairman of the Handicrafts and Carpet Sector Skill Council. This opportunity allows me to work closely with a diverse group of stakeholders, including artisans, industry leaders, government bodies, and training partners, to collectively uplift and empower our skilled workforce. My focus will be on fostering innovation, enhancing skill development initiatives, and creating sustainable opportunities that ensure the growth and prosperity of the handicrafts and carpet sectors. Together, we can preserve the rich cultural heritage of our crafts while equipping artisans with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in a competitive, modern economy.

New Delhi, 14th July 2023 (Friday): Under the flagship skilling scheme Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modi ji in a bid to empower the country’s youth with employable skills, Hon’ble Minister of State for Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Friday, 14th July 2023 inaugurated the first consignment of Export of Namda products to England from Srinagar, India.

During the launch, the Hon’ble MoS said this is a proud moment for all the stakeholders with such a defining outcome of the program, which Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji has visioned for the Skill India Mission. He also said that such efforts to bring traditional and heritage products to the world market will be continued for the years to come. This is a successful example of creating new opportunities and prosperity for the artisans in association with the Industry and Handicrafts and Carpet Sector Skill Council to establish a viable ecosystem in the handicrafts and carpet sector.

During the launch of the first export consignment to England, Shri Arshad Mir, Chairman of Handicrafts and Carpet Sector Skill Council and Mr Krishan Kumar, CEO- HCSSC were among the present dignitaries.

During the discussions, Mr Krishan Kumar thanked the Flipkart Group for acknowledging the importance and uniqueness of the Country’s traditional and heritage crafts and promoting Handicrafts and Carpet products through its E-Commerce platform.

Friday, 22^nd July 2022: Handicrafts and Carpet Sector Skill Council signed an MoU with Flipkart Group in its endeavor to provide forward linkage to the artisans and weavers working in the traditional and heritage crafts clusters of the country through E-Commerce platform. Mr. Krishan Kumar CEO HCSSC and Mr. Rajneesh Kumar, Chief Corporate Affair Officer Flipkart Group signed the MOU. Mr. Dhiraj Kapur, VP-Govt. Affair, and Dr. Tafheem Siddiqui, Director Policy, Flipkart Group were among the dignitaries present during the event.

During the discussions Mr. Krishan Kumar thanked the Flipkart Group for acknowledging the importance and uniqueness of the Country’s traditional and heritage crafts and promoting the Handicrafts and Carpet products through its E-Commerce platform.

To know and understand more about the initiatives from the HCSSC, capacity building of artisans and weavers, curriculum development for the sector at the school level, etc. we conversed with Mr. Krishan Kumar, CEO, Handicrafts and Carpet Sector Skill Council (HCSSC). Read on to know more