During the recent visit of senior officers from the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Director (NR) Shri Virendra Kumar, Sr. Assistant Director (Handicrafts) Shri Rajat Verma and other officials, the officers interacted with members of M/s Unmukt Women Producer Company Limited at Ramsar Palawala village near Jaipur. The team reviewed their ongoing handicraft activities, production capabilities, product range and market potential. Identified as an emerging artisan cluster by HSC Jaipur, this women-led enterprise, established in 2025, demonstrates how traditional skills, women’s entrepreneurship, sustainable production and contemporary market opportunities can come together to create dignified livelihoods. Established in 2025, M/s Unmukt Women Producer Company Limited demonstrates how traditional skills, women’s entrepreneurship, sustainable production and contemporary markets can combine to create dignified livelihoods.
During the interaction, the artisans and members were advised to obtain an Importer Exporter Code (IEC) as an important first step towards expanding their business beyond the domestic market. They were further encouraged to obtain appropriate export registration and membership with organisations such as the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) or Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH), as applicable. Such formal registrations can facilitate access to export opportunities, international buyers, trade platforms and other benefits available to eligible handicraft enterprises.
The officers also discussed the importance of strengthening product quality, packaging, branding and market readiness so that the Producer Company can gradually enhance its business transactions and explore wider domestic as well as international markets.
The members of Unmukt Mahila Producer Company were assured that the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) would extend necessary guidance and support, wherever eligible, in accordance with the relevant scheme guidelines and prescribed procedures. The interaction provided encouragement to the women artisans and reinforced the importance of institutional handholding in transforming a promising grassroots initiative into a sustainable, market-oriented and potentially export-ready handicraft enterprise.
The enterprise was initiated by a young entrepreneur who took the lead in establishing the Producer Company and developing it as a market-oriented business, with guidance and support from HSC Jaipur, Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts).
Today, more than 100 women artisans from six villages are associated with Unmukt as shareholders and directors. This collective ownership model provides women not only with employment but also a stake in decision-making and enterprise growth. The initiative enables artisans to earn approximately ₹4,000–₹5,000 per month while working close to their homes and communities.
A distinctive feature of Unmukt is its commitment to upcycling textile waste. Surplus and discarded cotton fabric sourced from Jaipur’s garment factories is transformed into attractive toys, bags, home textiles and accessories through hand embroidery, block printing and eco-printing using natural dyes. Its special focus on handmade children’s toys reflects an effort to combine traditional craftsmanship with contemporary product design.
With more than 170 original designs, the company has developed capabilities for wholesale orders, corporate gifting and potential export requirements. Market linkages with buyers such as Choose Kind and Neela Jaipur have helped its products reach customers in around 10 countries.
The story of Unmukt is ultimately about transformation—artisans becoming shareholders, women becoming enterprise owners, and waste becoming value-added products. Continued institutional support in design, quality, branding, packaging, digital marketing and market access can further strengthen this promising grassroots enterprise.
Unmukt demonstrates that when women’s enterprise, sustainable practices and handicraft traditions come together, local skills can create meaningful livelihoods while contributing to a more responsible and vibrant craft economy.
During the recent visit of senior officers from the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), including Director (NR) Shri Virendra Kumar, Sr. Assistant Director (Handicrafts) and other officials, the officers interacted with the members of Unmukt Mahila Producer Company and reviewed their ongoing handicraft activities, production capabilities and market potential.
During the interaction, the artisans and members were advised to obtain an Importer Exporter Code (IEC) as an important first step towards expanding their business beyond the domestic market. They were further encouraged to obtain appropriate export registration and membership with organisations such as the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) or Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH), as applicable. Such formal registrations can facilitate access to export opportunities, international buyers, trade platforms and other benefits available to eligible handicraft enterprises.
The officers also discussed the importance of strengthening product quality, packaging, branding and market readiness so that the Producer Company can gradually enhance its business transactions and explore wider domestic as well as international markets.
The members of Unmukt Mahila Producer Company were assured that the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) would extend necessary guidance and support, wherever eligible, in accordance with the relevant scheme guidelines and prescribed procedures. The interaction provided encouragement to the women artisans and reinforced the importance of institutional handholding in transforming a promising grassroots initiative into a sustainable, market-oriented and potentially export-ready handicraft enterprise.
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