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The event organised on Aug 22 was attended by over 250 industry leaders, sellers, and craftsmen. It celebrated the rich cultural heritage of India and featured the presence of esteemed dignitaries, including Jayant Chaudhary, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and Ministry of Education, along with senior officials from MSDE.
NEW DELHI: Flipkart, India’s homegrown e-commerce giant, marked the 5-year anniversary of its Samarth initiative with a grand event dedicated to empowering India’s artisans, weavers, self-help groups (SHGs), women, and rural entrepreneurs. The event organised on Aug 22 was attended by over 250 industry leaders, sellers, and craftsmen. It celebrated the rich cultural heritage of India and featured the presence of esteemed dignitaries, including Jayant Chaudhary, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and Ministry of Education, along with senior officials from MSDE.
A key highlight of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Flipkart’s Supply Chain Operations Academy (SCOA) and MSDE. This partnership, under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 4.0, aims to upskill thousands of youth across India, enhancing their employability in the e-commerce and supply chain sectors. The program will provide a comprehensive training experience, including 7 days of intensive classroom instruction followed by 45 days of hands-on industry exposure at Flipkart’s facilities.
Jayant Chaudhary emphasized the government’s commitment to skilling youth for global demands, aligning with the vision of a Viksit Bharat 2047. He praised Flipkart for reaching the 5-year milestone of the Samarth program, stating, “The Government of India remains steadfast in its commitment to empowering artisans and promoting the diverse crafts that are integral to our rich cultural heritage. The collaboration between MSDE and Flipkart’s Supply Chain Operations Academy (SCOA), formalized at the celebration of Flipkart Samarth’s journey, is a significant step towards equipping our youth with the skills to thrive in the modern marketplace. By integrating traditional crafts into the digital space, we are forging strong partnerships and embracing innovation through the Samarth program, paving the way for the growth of India’s MSME sector.”
Rajneesh Kumar, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer of Flipkart Group, expressed the company’s dedication to preserving and promoting India’s cultural heritage while creating sustainable livelihoods. “At Flipkart, we believe in the power of preserving and promoting India’s rich cultural heritage while creating sustainable livelihoods. This Samarth 5-year journey milestone celebration event underscores our commitment to empowering artisans, weavers, and MSMEs across Bharat. Through our Samarth initiative, we have positively impacted 1.8 million livelihoods in the last 5-years of its journey, preserved over 100 traditional art forms, and fostered the growth of thousands of sellers. As we look to the future, our partnership with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship will further equip India’s youth with the skills necessary to thrive in the digital economy, ensuring that the legacy of our past continues to flourish in the hands of future generations.”
The event also featured a thought-provoking panel discussion on the future of artisan empowerment, with industry leaders such as Ateesh Kumar Singh, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of MSME; Mahendra Payaal, Chief Program Officer of the National Skills Development Corporation; Simmi Nanda, Co-Founder and Director of BeUnic; and Meenu Chopra, Executive Director of the All India Artisans & Craftworkers Welfare Association. The panel explored the future of India’s artisan community, the importance of skill development, and the significant role of e-commerce in expanding market access.
In line with supporting artisans ahead of the festive season, Flipkart unveiled the ‘Samarth storefront’ named Indian Roots on its app during the event. This virtual platform offers artisans, weavers, and MSMEs unprecedented access to a national market, enabling them to showcase their unique products to over 500 million customers across India.
The gathering served as a platform for government leaders, industry experts, and key stakeholders to discuss and explore the future of artisan empowerment in the digital age. The event underscored the importance of integrating traditional craftsmanship with modern technology to create sustainable livelihoods for millions.
The Flipkart Group is one of India’s leading digital commerce entities, including companies such as Flipkart, Myntra, Flipkart Wholesale, Flipkart Health+, and Cleartrip. Established in 2007, Flipkart has enabled millions of sellers, merchants, and small businesses to participate in India’s digital commerce revolution. Today, with over 500 million registered users and more than 1.4 million sellers, Flipkart remains committed to empowering generations of entrepreneurs and MSMEs while delivering value through technology and innovation.
