India's Flipkart signs MoU to support disabled artisans in Varanasi

Through this partnership, iconic goods such as Banarasi sarees, handmade carpets, zardoji craft, and handmade dari from the state will now be available to 400 million customers on the Flipkart platform. The Flipkart Samarth programme will offer training and time-bound incubation support, which will help artisans, weavers, people with disabilities, and craftsmen grow their businesses through e-commerce, according to a press release by the company.

The MoU was exchanged at an event in Varanasi in the presence of Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma, honourable minister of state for micro, small, and medium enterprises, Government of India between Umesh Kumar Singh, joint commissioner, department of industries, Varanasi division and Rajneesh Kumar, chief corporate affairs officer, Flipkart. At the event, artisans, weavers, people with disabilities and craftsmen of Varanasi were recognised by the dignitaries for their contribution towards the society.

Flipkart Samarth, launched in 2019, is a nationwide initiative that aims to introduce lakhs of MSMEs, artisans and underserved communities from across the country to growth opportunities through e-commerce. The programme’s primary objective is to provide underserved domestic communities and companies with a sustainable and inclusive platform and better livelihood chances. Flipkart Samarth provides time-limited incubation, assistance with onboarding, free cataloguing, marketing support, account administration, business insights, and warehousing support to assist these small enterprises in establishing their operations on the Flipkart marketplace.

“Today, MSMEs are leveraging the power of technology and the wider national market to accelerate their growth. Through e-commerce customers from across the country can now access the state-specific local iconic goods. MSMEs growth and digital transformation are a road to realising the country`s dream of becoming a $5 trillion economy,” the minister said.

“We are excited and committed to be part of India's economic growth story by helping millions of local businesses adopt e-commerce. Our efforts are focused on helping them digitise their business and explore growth opportunities through Flipkart’s e-commerce marketplace. We are delighted to continue to deepen our engagement in the state of UP while creating lakhs of opportunities and new jobs through this MoU and expanding e-commerce opportunities to small businesses, artisans, weavers etc in Varanasi on the National Handloom Day, just ahead of the 75th anniversary of our nation’s independence,” Rajneesh Kumar, chief corporate affairs officer, Flipkart, said.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (GK)