India's first Craft Village gets a cooperative boost as Bihar advances PM Modi's 'Sahkar Se Samriddhi' vision

Patna: In a significant step towards advancing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Sahkar Se Samriddhi' (Prosperity through Cooperation), Bihar on Friday launched the Mithila Handicrafts Cooperative Society, bringing together traditional artisans from the state's globally acclaimed Madhubani art ecosystem under the cooperative framework. The initiative follows the Government of India's recent recognition of Jitwarpur in Madhubani as India's first Craft Village, and seeks to strengthen market access, improve artisans' incomes and showcase Bihar's rich cultural heritage to national and international audiences. The first meeting of the newly formed cooperative was held at the Mithila Art Centre in Madhubani in the presence of Shirsat Kapil Ashok, IAS, Secretary, Dairy, Fisheries and Animal Resources Department, Government of Bihar, and Chairman-cum-Managing Director, COMFED, along with Anand Sharma, IAS, District Magistrate, Madhubani, senior officials from the Department of Tourism, Patna Museum, Mithila Chitrakala Sansthan and NABARD. Padma Shri awardees Dulari Devi and Baua Devi also participated in the programme. Addressing the gathering, Shirsat Kapil Ashok said the formation of the cooperative demonstrates how the cooperative movement can become a powerful vehicle for preserving India's traditional arts while creating sustainable livelihoods. He noted that Jitwarpur's recognition as India's first Craft Village presents a unique...