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International Conference on Tradition and Transition: Sustaining Indigenous Skills and Socio- Economic Mobility Road to Viksit Bharat@2047 was organised on 13th and 14th February, 2025

A two- day International Conference on Tradition and Transition: Sustaining Indigenous Skills and Socio- Economic Mobility Road to Viksit Bharat@2047 was organised on 13th and 14th February, 2025 by Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur in collaboration with Jodhpur City Knowledge and Innovation Foundation (JCKIF) and Indian Council of Social Sciences Research (ICSSR) in hybrid mode at the Meeting Room, JCKIF, IIT Jodhpur. The two- day hybrid conference started with the Address by Prof. vivek vijay (Professor In Charge, JCKIF) who talked about the history of JCKIF and how JCKIF is committed to create strong linkages among major Academic Institutions, R & D institutes, Government Agencies and Industries of the city of Jodhpur and surroundings. It was followed by the Inaugural Address by Prof. Shree Prakash Tiwari, Dean of Administration, IITJ. He emphasised on the importance of indigenous skills and ways in which sustaining them will contribute to Viksit Bharat.

The conference featured a Chief Guest address by Shri Kiran V. N., Assistant Director at the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts). He spoke about the Indian Handloom Portal, government call centers that directly assist artisans with artisan card in bringing their businesses online, and other government initiatives aimed at supporting the handicraft sector. Additionally, he emphasized how collaborative efforts between IIT Jodhpur and the Office of the Development Commissioner could lead to projects that play a crucial role in preserving the indigenous art forms of Rajasthan. Chief guest address was followed by a plenary lecture by Dr. Laeek Ahemad Siddique, Research Scientist, IIPS, Mumbai and Second Session for Day 1 was moderated by Dr. Akanksha Choudhary , Assistant Professor, IIT Jodhpur and covered the themes of changing markets for Kasavu Sarees, Tie-Dye craft, Cultural Tourism and Family Structures and its impact on Skill Preservation.


Day 2 started with the discussions around topics of sustainability of traditional crafts from Rajasthan, role of education in transmission of occupational skills and resilience in craftsmanship. The session also witnessed a presentation by Shri Kiran V N on Usta Art of Bikaner. The session was moderated by Dr. PKV Kishan, Assistant Professor, IRMA. Second session of the day was moderated by Dr. Gopakumar K U, Assistant Professor, IIT Jodhpur. Session witnessed the detailed analysis of artisanal genesis, techno synthesis, study of Indian government initiatives for sustainability of Indian crafts, digital innovation in Banarasi textiles, sustainable fashion and contextualising indigenous knowledge for a sustainable future from central Indian tribal perspective. The two-day conference, featuring over 20 presenters and more than 50 attendees, concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Akanksha Choudhary, Assistant Professor at IIT Jodhpur.

Convened the Project Review Monitoring Committee (PRMC) Meeting 2025, 26th & 27th March at JCKIF, IIT Jodhpur

The Jodhpur City Knowledge and Innovation Cluster (JCKIC), IIT Jodhpur, successfully convened the Project Review Monitoring Committee (PRMC) Meeting 2025, marking a significant milestone in fostering interdisciplinary research, innovation-driven initiatives, and strategic collaborations across diverse scientific and technological domains.

The PRMC Meeting 2025 was enriched by the presence of eminent experts from diverse domains, including: ✔ Dr. Swati Basu – Chairperson, PRMC; Scientific Consultant (Climate & Environmental Science); Former Scientific Secretary, O/o PSA to GoI ✔ Shri Anandh Nayak – Independent Director, ITC Ltd.; Former EVP, HR, ITC Ltd. ✔ Dr. Dinakar Kanjilal – DAE Raja Ramana Fellow; Former Director, Inter-University Accelerator Centre (IUAC) ✔ Prof. Anik K Gupta – CSIR Bhatnagar Fellow; Founder, Honey Bee Network, SRISTI, GIAN & NIF ✔ Prof. Ramagopal Rao – Former Director, IIT Delhi; Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Delhi ✔ Dr. Vishal Choudhary, Scientist F, Office of the PSA ✔ Dr. Vivek Kumar, Scientist D, Office of the PSA

After welcoming the esteemed committee members, Prof. Avinash Kumar Agarwal , Director IIT Jodhpur shared his thoughts of making JCKIF self sustainable in the years to come. Prof. Sampat Raj Vadera, Co PI, JCKIC, Prof. Shree Prakash Tiwari , Dean Administration, and Prof. vivek vijay, Professor-in-Charge, Section 8 Companies, along with Verticals Co -PIs and other faculty members of IIT Jodhpur, were also present during the discussion.

JCKIC remains steadfast in its mission to establish a dynamic ecosystem that bridges the gap between fundamental research and translational applications. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, facilitating knowledge exchange, and driving technological advancements, we aspire to contribute meaningfully to the scientific and economic growth of the nation.

Preserving Heritage: JCKIF’s Field Visit to Support Artisans in Barmer and Phalodi for GI Recognition

The Jodhpur City Knowledge and Innovation Foundation (JCKIF) team recently had the privilege of visiting Barnawa Jagir (Barmer) and Bap (Phalodi) to extend technical and documentation support to local artisans in their pursuit of Geographical Indication (GI) registration. This initiative aims to safeguard the unique identity and traditional craftsmanship of these regions, ensuring their rightful recognition at both national and global levels.

These visits form a crucial part of JCKIF’s ongoing commitment to promoting research, documentation, and global visibility of traditional crafts. Through GI registration, JCKIF seeks to empower artisans by protecting their intellectual property, strengthening their market presence, and preserving their invaluable cultural legacy for future generations.

During the interaction, artisans shared their deep connection with their crafts—skills passed down through generations—but also voiced the economic hardships that threaten the continuity of their art. Many face declining demand, limited access to markets, and insufficient financial resources to sustain their livelihoods.

Recognizing these challenges, JCKIF remains steadfast in its support through various initiatives, including the Kalaanubhav.in e-commerce platform, which connects artisans directly with customers across India and beyond. Additionally, JCKIF continues to work on collaborative programs, design innovation, and digital empowerment to ensure that traditional craftsmanship not only survives but thrives in the modern economy. By combining scientific research, policy facilitation, and community engagement, JCKIF continues its mission to preserve India’s rich artisanal heritage while creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for rural communities.

Mission “Neer Uday” – Launch of the Student Explorer Internship Program 2025

The Jodhpur City Knowledge and Innovation Foundation (JCKIF) proudly announced the launch of the Student Explorer Internship Program (SEIP) 2025 under Mission “Neer Uday” on 26th May 2025. The initiative aims to empower young minds to explore, understand, and document traditional and scientific water management systems across the arid and semi-arid regions of Rajasthan.

Under this mission, student teams will conduct extensive field visits, on-ground observations, and documentation of traditional water bodies, rainwater harvesting structures, and water conservation practices. The program also seeks to identify contemporary challenges related to water availability and quality while evaluating integrated traditional and scientific approaches to promote sustainable water management.

The launch event was graced by distinguished dignitaries: • Prof. Pradeep Kumar Tiwari, Professor Chair, Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), IIT Jodhpur • Prof. Shree Prakash Tiwari, Principal Investigator, JCKIC • Dr. Saran Aadhar, Faculty, Department of Civil and Infrastructure Engineering, IIT Jodhpur • Col. Rohit Khare, CEO, JCKIF • Mr. Himmat Singh, Program Manager, JCKIF

Mission “Neer Uday” represents a significant stride toward engaging students in grassroots research and conservation while strengthening the synergy between traditional wisdom and modern science. Through this initiative, JCKIF continues its commitment to nurturing the next generation of “Water Warriors” and advancing sustainable water management practices for a resilient future.

Hon’ble Speaker Shri Om Birla Ji Graces the JCKIC Handicraft Exhibition at IIT Jodhpur

The Jodhpur City Knowledge and Innovation Foundation (JCKIF) was honoured by the gracious presence of Shri Om Birla Ji, Hon’ble Speaker of the Lok Sabha, at the JCKIC Handicraft Exhibition held at the Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur on 9th June 2025.

Shri Birla Ji appreciated the remarkable craftsmanship, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit of the local artisans being supported under the Handicraft Vertical of JCKIF. His words of encouragement greatly inspired the artisan community, reinforcing the importance of preserving India’s traditional crafts while fostering innovation and sustainability.

The exhibition featured an exquisite collection of handcrafted products that beautifully combined Rajasthan’s rich cultural traditions with modern-day functionality. It served as a living tribute to the talent, perseverance, and dedication of rural artisan communities—reflecting JCKIF’s ongoing commitment to empower traditional crafts through science, technology, and innovation.


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