DIMAPUR — The Export Promotion Council for
Handicrafts (EPCH) concluded its 38th annual general meeting on Tuesday in New
Delhi. The meeting was chaired by Dileep Baid, chairman of EPCH, in the
presence of Neeraj Khanna and Sagar Mehta, vice chairmen of EPCH.
Baid, speaking on the occasion, briefed the gathering on the
various activities and initiatives undertaken by the council during 2023–24 to
promote handicraft exports from the country, according to an update.
One agenda item was to fill six vacancies in the Committee
of Administration (CoA) of EPCH: three in the Northern Region and one each in
the North-West, Southern, and North-East regions.
The elected members of the CoA are Ravi K Passi of M/s R K
Arts, Prince Malik of M/s Osyrus Overseas, and Arshad Hussain Mir of M/s Mir
Handicrafts Pvt. Ltd. from the Northern Region; Jesmina Zeliang of M/s Heirloom
Naga, Dimapur, from the North-East Region; K N Tulasi Rao of Ramakrishna
Paramahamsa & Co., Narsapur, from the Southern Region; and Dileep Baid of
M/s Dileep Crafts Private Limited, Jaipur, from the North-West Region.
Jesmina is a prominent exporter from Dimapur and has been in
the handicrafts sector for more than three decades. Her brand “Heirloom Naga”
has played a significant role in spotlighting crafts from Nagaland and other
northeastern states to the international markets.
She works directly with over 1,000 artisans, and her
merchandise is sold through several high-end brands and luxury labels
worldwide. As a cultural entrepreneur, she has received accolades and has also
established the Heirloom Naga Centre in Dimapur, which focuses on promoting,
preserving, and continuing cultural traditions.
The EPCH is a nodal agency dedicated to promoting handicraft
exports from the country and creating a global brand image for the artistry of
artisans and craftspersons. These individuals are engaged in producing home
decor, lifestyle products, textiles, furniture, fashion jewellery, and
accessories in various craft clusters across the country.
