The Hindu Business Line : State Govt has new designs on craftsmen, says Minister

The Kerala State Institute of Design (KSID) will support the all-round development of the craft sector by providing new designs and novel methods of production, according to Mr P.K. Gurudasan, Minister for Labour.

Delivering the inaugural speech at a seminar on a Vision Document for KSID, the Minister said that one of the important functions envisaged by KSID is to make the workers and design makers to get themselves familiarised with the modern design trends. Coordination of design activities in different sectors, introduction of the traditional craft sector to international market and popularisation of modern design trends among the public, especially the youth, are some of the other objectives of the institute.

Attractive and visually-appealing crafts will naturally enhance the demand for craft items and thereby improve the standard of living of those who are engaged in the trade.

For this to happen, the institute will have to develop a pool of designers who are willing to work with the craftsmen and in the cottage industries sector, the Minister said.

The institute also aims to conduct a comprehensive study on the traditional craft sector of the State by collecting and preserving all available material.

One year has elapsed since the inception of the institute, but no significant progress has been achieved towards realising its goals. It has been able to start a one-month course for the crafts people of screw pine and straw picture sectors.

Another certificate course of six-month duration is also being planned for the future. In this connection, the Minister recalled the visit of a team lead by himself to the National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad.

“The experience we could gather from the NID visit was very encouraging. We had a discussion with members of the faculty,” Mr Gurudasan said.

The visit has changed the very concept about the field of design and provided the delegation with the inspiration to proceed with KSID, he added.

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