The 7-day District Gandhi Shilp Bazaar (GSB) at Urban Haat, CBD Belapur, Navi Mumbai, is creating a vibrant platform where Maharashtra’s rich craft traditions meet contemporary consumers, festive demand and new business opportunities. Organised by the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, in collaboration with Maharashtra State Handloom Co-operative Federation Ltd. (MAHATEX), Mumbai, the Bazaar seeks to place artisans and their creations at the centre of a dynamic marketplace.
The Bazaar was inaugurated by Ms. Vrunda Desai, IRS, Textiles Commissioner, Textiles Commissioner’s Office, Mumbai, in the presence of Shri R. L. Ramesh, IRS, Commissioner, Central GST, Belapur; Shri Deeptansu Haldar, Regional Director, Western Regional Office (Handicrafts), Mumbai; Shri Deepak Khandekar, Managing Director, MAHATEX, and other distinguished dignitaries.
With 40 stalls showcasing handcrafted products by artisans from different parts of Maharashtra, the Bazaar offers visitors an opportunity to discover the extraordinary diversity of the State’s traditional craftsmanship. Behind every product displayed is a story—of generations of knowledge, painstaking skill, cultural identity, creativity and the personal emotions of the artisan.
The timing of the Bazaar is particularly significant as the festive season approaches and the monsoon gives way to more pleasant weather. The event is expected to encourage increased consumer participation while creating opportunities for artisans to connect directly with bulk buyers, exporters, corporate houses and individual customers. Such direct engagement can help artisans understand market preferences, develop stronger networks and expand their enterprises.
Speaking during the inaugural programme, Shri Deeptansu Haldar emphasised the importance of Gandhi Shilp Bazaar as a platform for bringing artisans closer to consumers and strengthening their market linkages and livelihoods.
The Bazaar carries a larger message: craft is not merely a product—it is the living expression of human skill and cultural heritage. Every purchase can therefore become an investment in an artisan family, a community and a centuries-old tradition.
When artisans prosper, communities grow stronger; when communities grow stronger, the nation moves forward. Let us celebrate Indian craftsmanship by purchasing handmade, supporting artisans and carrying home not just a beautiful product, but the story, skill and soul of the hands that created it
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