India, entwined with her rich artistic tradition has provided ample opportunity to make Indian handicraft to stand apart with its colossal pride. For the greater objective of taking Indian handicrafts to the next level of maturity a number of handicraft related associations in India has made their presence felt. Whether to showcase the varied Indian handicrafts or to cater to the growth and overall mellowness of Indian handicraft, the wide range of Indian handicraft associations have an immense contribution. The technical, marketing and even the financial aspects of Indian handicraft are ideally being taken care by these handloom associations of India. The Handicrafts and Handlooms Export Corporation of India, also known as HHEC, the central cottage industries or the CCIE, The northeastern handicrafts and handloom development Association are some of the important handloom related associations in India.
The All India Handicrafts Board was established in 1952 to guide the Government on various problems of handicrafts and to provide measures for improvement and development of Indian crafts. The board also looks after other aspects of handicrafts like the technical, marketing, financial, organizational and to formulate plans in this direction. It also guides and provides assistance to the state governments for planning and executing schemes for the development of handicrafts.
The Handicrafts and Handlooms Export Corporation of India (HHEC) is a subsidiary of the State Trading Corporation of India, which was established in June 1962. The Corporation functions in the field of direct export and also help to develop new markets and expand the old ones. It also provides assistance to introduce new products for the consumers staying abroad. The Corporation undertakes and executes wholesale orders, conducts retail sale operations through retail shops abroad. It also takes part in various exhibitions that are organized throughout the world to promote Indian crafts. HHEC also helps private exporters by affiliating them as business associates. It also supports a number of publicity and promotional measures for the export of handicrafts and handloom products.
The Central Cottage Industries Corporation Private Limited is a registered society, which had absorbed the Indian Cooperative Union. The Central Cottage Industries Emporium (CCIE) is located at Janpath in New Delhi and is the first sales organization in Indian handicrafts. The CCIE has branches at Bombay, Calcutta, Chennai and Jaipur.
The Northeastern Handicrafts and Handloom Development Corporation Limited (NEHHDC) located in Shillong was established in 1977 with the aim to promote and improve the sale of handloom and handicrafts in the northeastern region.
The National Handlooms and Handicrafts Museum (NHHM) was established in Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. It comprises of fifteen structures, which represent village dwellings, courtyards and shrines from various states of India. It is spread over an area of five acres and has a rare and exclusive collection of Indian crafts.
