The Gandhi Shilp Bazaar (GSB), organised by M/s Andhra Pradesh Handicrafts Development Corporation (APHDC), is being held at Maris Stella Indoor Stadium, Vijayawada, from 9 to 18 October 2026. The event was inaugurated by Shri Gadde Ram Mohan, Hon’ble MLA, Vijayawada East, in the presence of Shri R.P. Sisodia, IAS, Special Chief Secretary to the Government. Shri P. Hari Prasad, Chairman, APHDC, presided over the programme, which was attended by the Assistant Director, Handicrafts Service Centre (HSC), Vijayawada.
The Bazaar features 76 stalls showcasing the diverse handicrafts and handloom traditions of India, with artisans and weavers participating from 17 States and Union Territories, including Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Assam and Jammu & Kashmir, among others.
The exhibition provides artisans with an important direct-marketing platform to display their traditional products, interact with customers and explore new business opportunities. It also facilitates connections with bulk buyers, exporters, corporate houses and other market stakeholders, helping artisans strengthen market linkages and improve their livelihoods.
Each handcrafted product represents more than artistic excellence; it reflects the artisan’s skill, dedication, creativity, cultural identity and inherited traditions. With the festive season approaching, the Bazaar is expected to attract visitors and encourage meaningful sales, while promoting appreciation for India’s rich craft heritage.
The Gandhi Shilp Bazaar embodies the vision of empowering artisans through wider market access and greater economic opportunities. Stronger artisans contribute to stronger communities, and prosperous communities help build a stronger nation.
Every purchase of a handcrafted product is more than a commercial transaction—it is an expression of respect for the hands, heritage and stories behind its creation. The Bazaar therefore invites everyone to support Indian artisans, celebrate their craftsmanship and take home not merely a product, but a piece of India’s living cultural heritage.
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