Amazon.in today announced the launch of multiple sellers associated with West Bengal Khadi and Village Industries Board (Gramin), Khadi and Village Industries Board (Vindhya Valley from Madhya Pradesh), and West Bengal Handicrafts Development Corporation (MANJUSHA). With a vision to empower and encourage the growth of artisans and weavers its mission to bring all forms of Indian crafts online and expand the selection for customers, the launch of these sellers on Amazon.in will have a significant impact on the lives of more than 40,000 artisans and weavers from Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal. At launch, over 500 unique products will be available with additional selection to be added in the coming days.

The launch will enable sellers associated with three emporiums with an opportunity to showcase unique products like khadi sarees, khadi jackets, jewelry boxes, jute handbags, shirts, dupattas, home decor as well as homemade dry masalas to millions of Amazon.in customers. The launch of the three emporiums will help generate demand for products made by artisans and weavers from over 60- clusters like Maheshwari and Ujjain n Madhya Pradesh, and over 12+- clusters like Nadia and Burdwan in West Bengal. Sellers will be able to avail additional benefits by selling their products on the Amazon India marketplace including discounted referral fees, support with shipping and delivery of products.

Through the launch of these emporiums on the Amazon.in marketplace, we continue to extend the ecommerce opportunity, to benefit an additional 40,000 Karigars to accelerate their business during the festive season.
Pranav Bhasin, Director- MSME and Seller Experience at Amazon India

Pranav Bhasin, Director- MSME and Seller Experience at Amazon India said, “Artisans and weavers comprise an important section of our seller community. At Amazon, we have been committed to bringing artisans, weavers and their art forms from across the country online- to help them benefit from increased access to consumers, keeping their cultural heritage alive. With the festive season coming closer, it is an ideal time for bringing these emporiums on Amazon.in. Through the launch of these emporiums on the Amazon.in marketplace, we continue to extend the ecommerce opportunity, to benefit an additional 40,000 Karigars to accelerate their business during the festive season. The sellers can participate in the Great Indian Festival to expand their business, while customers can shop from their exquisite range of products.”

“At a time when offline sales as well as on-ground events are at an all-time low, adoption of e-commerce is the best solution for artisans and karigars to survive and sustain their business. We work with over 20,000 artisan and weaver families of West Bengal, and going online on Amazon.in will help them benefit from e-commerce. As customers are increasingly looking for local, Made in India products, especially during festive season, we believe selling on Amazon will help these artisans enjoy access to millions of customers, create new and viable markets and give their products a wide reach”, said Mrityunjoy Bandhopadhay (CEO) - West Bengal Khadi and Village Industries Board (WBKVIB)

We believe selling on Amazon will help these artisans enjoy access to millions of customers, create new and viable markets and give their products a wide reach.
Mrityunjoy Bandhopadhay (CEO) - West Bengal Khadi and Village Industries Board (WBKVIB)

“We are delighted to partner with Amazon India as the online marketplace is an excellent avenue for our artisans and weavers to reach customers who appreciate the craftsmanship and value of our products. Through this partnership, over 15,000 artisans and weavers will be positively impacted as they expand the reach of their products. In addition to this, it will also help ensure easier access to high-quality products to millions of customers across the country”, said Shri Amit Datta, Managing Director, West Bengal Handicrafts Development Corporation Limited.

In its mission to bring all forms of Indian crafts online and expand the selection of products made available to customers, Amazon India launched the Karigar program in 2016. Since launch in 2016, Amazon.in has on-boarded more than 3000 master weavers, co-operatives, artisans and government organizations under various ministries. Thousands of these sellers will offer unique selection to customers during the upcoming Great Indian Festival, starting October 17, 2020, helping them rebuild and accelerate their business. Customers across the country will have the opportunity to shop for unique products from Amazon sellers under various programs including Karigar.

About West Bengal Khadi and Village Industries Board

The West Bengal Khadi & Village Industries Board (WBKVIB) was set up by the Government of West Bengal under W.B. Act. XIV of 1959 and took over the activities from erstwhile Advisory Board on 1st. April, 1960. Khadi and Village Industries have the unique capacity to generate large employment opportunities in the rural areas at a low capital cost as well as to create entrepreneurship development and have therefore occupied an important place in the national economy.

About Khadi and Village Industries Board

The Khadi and Village Industries Board channels the large array of goods produced by the sector through its network of production and marketing outlets. The production and marketing of spices, The ‘Vindhya Valley’ program interfaces the marketing skills of corporate giant Hindustan Lever Ltd (HLL) and SHG micro-enterprise.

About West Bengal Handicrafts Development Corporation

The emporium is principally into the promoting & marketing of the handicrafts and handloom products of the artisans of West Bengal through its MANJUSHA showrooms. In its strong pledge to aloft the traditional heritage of around 5 lakh exceptional artisan community of the state, MANJUSHA is nurturing their basic craftsmanship without deviating from heritage. Apart from providing them with a commercial platform, MANJUSHA works relentlessly for their capacity building, quality control and technological improvement.