In a masterly presentation, Ms. Dhamija Portrayed the multi-faceted personality of Kamaladevi Chattopadhyaya and her passion and dedication towards the development of crafts in India as a viable income-generating option in the rural areas and among the marginalized sections of the population. She was categorical in her opinion that development of crafts anywhere in the world could not be antithetical to the process of globalization and that encouragement to the growth of one could be simultaneous to that of the other also. She drew attention to the fact that Indian handicrafts went to different parts of the world ever since the Mohen-Jo-daro days and that globalization as a process was very much known to our craftsmen who often designed their wares according to the tastes and requirements outside the country. What was required was an innovative policy thrust to incentivise cottage industries and handicrafts to become a subsidiary income-generating activity in the rural as well as urban areas and take note of the changing needs and requirements within the country and outside.

The lively interactive session, preceded by a reading of the excerpts from the book “Kamaladevi Chattopadhyaya – Biography” by Mrs Vimala Rangachar, was presided over by Prof. S L Rao. Shri Neel Chattopadhyaya, grandson of Kamaladevi was present.