On the occasion of Constitution Day, the Jodhpur City Knowledge and Innovation Foundation (JCKIF) had the honour of welcoming Prof. Rakesh Sinha, Former Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), to Dharohar, JCKIF’s Phygital Museum at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jodhpur.

During his visit, Prof. Sinha explored the initiatives undertaken by JCKIF under its Handicrafts and Handloom vertical, which focuses on revitalising India’s rich craft heritage through innovation, design intervention, capacity building, and market linkages. The visit highlighted JCKIF’s continued efforts to preserve traditional craftsmanship while creating new opportunities for artisans through contemporary design and technology.

Appreciation for Rajasthan’s Traditional Crafts

Prof. Sinha expressed his appreciation for the exceptional GI-tagged and patented craft products developed by artisans associated with JCKIF. He particularly admired two distinctive craft traditions of Rajasthan: Salawas Durry and Bone & Horn Craft.

Salawas Durry: Prof. Sinha appreciated the intricate handwoven artistry, rich cultural legacy, and exceptional craftsmanship of the weavers associated with this traditional craft. The craft reflects the generations of knowledge and skill that continue to sustain Rajasthan’s weaving heritage.

Bone & Horn Craft: He acknowledged the craftsmanship, sustainable use of materials, and innovative design diversification promoted through JCKIF’s interventions. The initiative demonstrates how traditional craft practices can be strengthened through contemporary design approaches while retaining their distinctive identity.

Preserving Heritage Through Innovation

Prof. Sinha commended JCKIF’s efforts to preserve traditional art forms while empowering artisan communities through skill development, technological support, design innovation, and opportunities for wider market exposure. He also emphasised the importance of such initiatives in strengthening India’s cultural economy and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for rural artisans.

The visit to Dharohar provided an opportunity to showcase the potential of India’s traditional crafts and the role of institutional support in connecting artisans with evolving markets and contemporary design practices.

Advancing JCKIF’s Vision for Artisan Empowerment

Prof. Sinha’s appreciation and encouragement reaffirm JCKIF’s commitment to building a vibrant ecosystem where traditional knowledge and modern innovation complement each other. Through its Handicrafts and Handloom initiatives, JCKIF continues to work towards enhancing artisan capabilities, promoting indigenous crafts, and expanding recognition for India’s rich cultural heritage.

The visit stands as an encouragement to further strengthen efforts towards preserving traditional craftsmanship, fostering innovation, and enabling Indian artisans to access broader national and global markets.

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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.

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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.

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