The Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) organised its 24th Handicrafts Export Awards Function at the Convention Hall, The Ashok Hotel, New Delhi on August 22, 2024. The evening was abuzz with top performing exporters from across the country, having gathered together for this grand occasion, along with Shri Dileep Baid, Chairman, EPCH; Dr. Rakesh Kumar, Chief Mentor in a role of Director General, EPCH and Chairman, India Exposition Mart Ltd.; Dr. Neeraj Khanna, Vice Chairman and Shri Sagar Mehta, Vice Chairman, EPCH; Members of Committee of Administration-EPCH; Shri R K Verma, Executive Director, EPCH; Press & media. Shri Giriraj Singh, Hon’ble Union Minister of Textiles, Govt. of India, was the Chief Guest at the function and presented the awards in the presence of Guest of Honour Smt. Rachna Shah, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India, in the august presence of Shri Rohit Kansal, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India; and Smt. Amrit Raj, IPoS, Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India. A total of 123 awards were conferred upon 62 winners of the year 2019-20 and to 61 winners of the year 2020-21, along with a prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.The awards given away by the Hon’ble Minister included the Top Export Award for 2019-20 and 2020-21, both were bagged by M/s C.L. Gupta Exports Ltd, Amroha (Uttar Pradesh); following which, senior and veteran exporter, Mr. Muzafar Hussain was honoured with the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ for his outstanding contribution, patronage and guidance to the Indian Handicrafts Sector. He urged exporters to look for new markets and hoped to see India’s share grow significantly in world markets by new entrants in the sector with focus on sustainability & green products and prioritize product diversification. The Hon’ble Minister acknowledged the able leadership and commendable efforts of the Council as well as the exporters in making Indian handicraft exports globally competitive and profitable. He emphasised the role of women that constitute a major percentage of the sector’s workforce and hoped to see more of them among awardees in the near future.