NABARD Marks 23rd GI Day, Advances GI Applications for Six Delhi Products

Event highlights GI registration, artisan livelihoods and market access, with six traditional Delhi crafts featured for recognition

NABARD’s New Delhi Regional Office observed Geographical Indications (GI) Day under the theme “Preserving Heritage and Fostering Livelihoods”, focusing on the role of GI recognition in protecting India’s cultural heritage and supporting livelihood opportunities for artisans and producer communities.

The programme was chaired by Professor (Dr.) Unnat P Pandit, Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks, DPIIT, Government of India. It brought together representatives from NABCONS, EXIM Bank, SLBC, SIDBI, RBI, banks and government departments, along with artisans and other stakeholders.

Six Delhi Crafts Featured for GI Recognition

A short film titled “नव सृजन” was launched during the event, showcasing six traditional Delhi crafts being taken forward for GI recognition. NABARD also released a Coffee Table Book documenting its GI journey.

A GI Bazar was organised at the NABARD, New Delhi Regional Office, featuring 22 GI stalls by artisans from Delhi and states including Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The bazar provided a platform for artisans to showcase and market GI and traditional products.

NABARD Expands GI Initiative in Delhi

Shri Nabin Kumar Roy, Chief General Manager, NABARD, New Delhi Regional Office, said NABARD’s GI initiative in Delhi has expanded from three products identified last year to nine products currently being taken forward for GI recognition.

He emphasised that GI certification is only the beginning and highlighted the need for an ecosystem covering institutional finance, skill enhancement, branding and market access. He also stressed connecting financial support mechanisms such as the Artisan Credit Card and PM Vishwakarma with artisans on the ground.

Roy further highlighted peer learning and collaboration with banks and other institutions to support better market access, fair value and sustainable livelihoods for artisans.

Focus on Post-Registration Support

The discussions highlighted that GI registration needs to be followed by authorised-user registration, quality improvement, branding, packaging, digital marketing, logistics and market linkages.

Greater coordination among NABARD, banks, SIDBI, EXIM Bank, government agencies and producer communities was identified as important for expanding the reach of GI products from local markets to national and international platforms.

The deliberations also covered the potential use of traceability and QR-based authentication to strengthen consumer confidence and enhance the value of GI products.

Artisans Highlight Market and Finance Requirements

Artisans participating in the programme shared their experiences and highlighted the need for sustained market access, institutional finance, improved packaging and export opportunities.

Their experiences also highlighted the role of continued institutional support, exhibitions and market linkages in strengthening traditional crafts as livelihoods and supporting their transmission to younger generations.

833 Indian GI Products Registered So Far

Professor (Dr.) Unnat P Pandit highlighted the role of GIs in preserving cultural heritage and creating sustainable livelihoods. He noted that 833 Indian GI products have been registered so far and emphasised the potential to achieve the target of 10,000 GIs through coordinated efforts.

He also announced the forthcoming GI Portal for online filing and tracking of applications in Hindi and English, while highlighting initiatives aimed at strengthening grassroots support for GI registration.

Pandit called for greater promotion of GI products through exhibitions, gifting and GI diplomacy, and urged stakeholders, particularly the youth, to make GI promotion a sustained commitment towards heritage preservation and livelihood enhancement.

The programme concluded with a focus on moving beyond GI registration towards GI-led livelihoods, enterprise development and market creation, with the objective of supporting the communities that preserve India’s traditional knowledge and craftsmanship.