The Institute of Social and Cultural Studies (ISCS), India that as an autonomous Think Tank had been addressing history and happening in collaboration with The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Branch Secretariat, Kolkata in many occasions, yet again joined hands over “West Bengal’s Global Reach Through Art and Artsitry”- on 12th February, 2021, a Day Long event held at Hotel Hindusthan International Kolkata with discussions and representation of Indigenous crafts as an endeavour to retrieve the rich legacies, diversities and confluences of the State over splendors of Crafts and tales of their makers. The Event was marked with an Inaugural session and with the remarks of Shri Arindam Mukherjee- Director, ISCS, India who thanked all the Distinguished Guests, Consul Generals and other participants who gathered for the hosted event Shri Arup Kumar Saha, Head, The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Branch Secretariat office, Kolkata in his speech informed that his department was mandated to, to support the state governments on their diplomatic Outreach and also to, to help them in the trade and investment Etc.

The Distinguished Speaker Sri. C. Rajshekhar, Head of Department, State Division Ministry of External Affairs (GoI) welcomed all the participants, Consul Generals like, the Australian Consul General Mr. Daniel Sim, the Japanese Consul General Nakamura, the Italian Consul General Ian Luca Rubagoti, the Brazilian Honorary Consul Pradeep Khemkaji, and distinguished guests who attended the event irrespective of COVID-19 threats and defined the initiative as a significant step towards ushering to normalcy after crossing a dark tunnel of pandemic worldwide. The Guest of Honour Sri. Adwaita Gadanayak, Director General, National Gallery of Modern Art ascertained that it was a right time for us to get serious and make a decision to preserve our art, since indigenous art was in caveat and we would develop avenues to preserve it. ISCS that had been addressing history and cultural
heritage through its activities, publications and variety of products released a series of Dashavtar Cards, which was once a popular form of a play in the regions of Bishnupur and recognized as a admired form of artistry, once again received adulations and remained desired possession when being released in a form of memorabilia from a series on Institute “Reviving India’s Forgotten” by the eminent guest at the inaugural sessions.

The first academic session titled “Sustainability of Art and Artistry of West Bengal” chaired by Dr. Raja Gopal Dhar Chakroborty, Dean and HoD of South and South east Asian Studies, University of Calcutta over discussion not only identified the challenges but focused on the lacunas triggering hardship on the sector itself. Since the thrash of COVID-19 had restricted our lives, had stalled growth and had oscillated difficult times in the handicraft sector too. But also in parallel had opened up multiple avenues when dearth of economic opportunities had aligned people to adopt creative endeavours and facilitate the sector. Technological harvests and education on diversities to fit the tradition to contemporary framework had not only provoked creativity but a medium to earn revenues and interact with countries and people through art and legacies opulently.

Dr.Sreerupa Roy, Assistant Professor of Economics, Dept. of Economics, Krishnanagar Government College, Nadia, West Bengal) shared that culture was not merely depict values and ethics and societal relations rather it carried with it the local identity of the community and particularly of the artist.Dr. Roy identified that lacuna actually was in the execution of structured policies. She streamlined challenges like finance, difficulty in procurement in materials, infrastructure and promotional deficit being the nexus of dying of handicraft industry in the state and also elsewhere. Shri Rajesh Sen, Hon’ble Secretary, The Bengal Home Industries, Kolkata advised that . If the Craft Industry had to survive deviation were to be brought in, histories would be touched upon and colossal of opportunities would be given to the makers, designers and marketing hubs. Dr. Bhaskar Goswami, Associate Professor, Dept. of Economics, University of Burdwan gave more emphasis on developing a sustainable supply chain for the procurement of materials and products itselfthrough vitalizing E-commerce, marketing and most importantly addressing the grievances of the makers who were the actual players of the industry altogether.
The session was summarized by the observer of the session, Mr. Gianluca Rubagotti- who expressed that in Country like Italy a lot of emphasis is laid down on the beauty and art and culture the middle age renaissance had played an important role in bringing forward evolving and connecting regions through
art and culture immensely.

In case of handicrafts of West Bengal he said that crafts of this region has been explicitly appealing, and the craft itself is a good source of livelihood, economic up streaming for the state itself. The second session of the conference titled “West Bengal Handicrafts: linkages and Cultural Diversities” initiated a discussion to highlight the cultural linkages and diversities these crafts had undergone over significant period of time stimulating its global reach through its richness and uniqueness. The Chairperson of the session Ms. KekaSarma, Secretary General, Bharat Chamber of Commerce deliberated that the handcrafts of Bengals was also a symbol of intellectuality, aesthetic and innovative minds. The crafts till date had continued to support the livestock of people associated and also it was a major source of women empowerment especially from the rural background.Policies must be outlined to provide proper infrastructure to store the products. Second is the reach of artisans at the national and international consumers through a digital journey to have exporting huge amounts of indigenous crafts .

Prof. Aloke Kumar, Associate Professor. IIM Calcutta, Member Faculty, University of Calcutta, Visiting Lecturer, Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandir, Belur and Guest Lecturer, National University of Singapore in his speech highlighted that the Government of India had added value to handicrafts that had been displayed at various craft and convention centres worldwide today. The Indian governmentwas focusing on the skills training of rural artisans under the DeenDayal Upadhyaya Grameen KaushalyaYojna, a policy for rural empowerment. In his views Handicraft sector in India not only had a rich and traditional offering for the world but through its array of different training had enhanced the quality of the handicrafts in the world’s economic forum. Designers from the National Institute of Design (NID) and National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) had developed courses to up skill Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and individual artisans. Soft skills training programs in export marketing, packaging and technology were being organized.The Incredible India Campaign by the Ministry of Tourismwas the biggest example Ms. KanaklataDatta ,Founder and Fashion Designer at “Shorbori Studio” said that Indian traditional fashion has always been a subject of a revolution unlike western wears which is so quickly adopted. the
new generation is again showing interest to revive tradition and hence appealed to make use right use of
technology and digital mediums to promote Indigenous crafts, innovation and artisans dexterity a better
recognition in coming times.

Prof. Parag Roy, Professor, Dept. of Graphics Printmaking, Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata said that using state craft in theme making was a big challenge but also a wider platform to acquaint the global visitors coming during Durga Puja and other festivals with the flavours of beautiful crafts made from simple day to day products.
The Observer – MS. Monica Shie ,Consul for Public Affairs and Director of American Centre said that along with policies and pragmatics equal emphasis would be given to export rationales to elevate the reach of the crafts and garner interest of the global audience towards masterpieces produced with love and toil. The Valedictory session was addressed by Dr.Satyabrata Chakrabarti, General Secretary, The Asiatic Society, Kolkata expressed that the conference had been extremely enriching as it appraised all the participants with history of the crafts and challenges of its creators significantly.

The event along with academic discussion also hosted a small Craft Haat (Craft Exhibition) where
various forms of West Bengal’s indigenous products were