Position Paper National Focus Group on Heritage Crafts

Abstract

One out of every 200 Indians is an artisan. Hand craft is a production process and a wonderful, indigenous technology, not an outmoded tradition.. This point needs to be emphasized in the school curriculum, and craft be taught as a professional expertise rather than a “hobby”. Training in craft skills, whether at home, or through the traditional Guru-Shishya tradition, should be recognized as industrial training, and given the same supports as other technical and vocational education. Craft skills should be on par with other vocational training, especially in traditional crafts pockets, part of a properly structured curriculum, In areas where craft is the primary activity, children should be able to opt for craft as a course option, offered as a specialized stream in itself, learning ancillary skills like product design, book keeping, display, merchandising and entrepreneurial skills.