The project’s principal investigator, Prof. Sandeep Sangal, emphasized its twofold aims: to furnish children with free, high-caliber education and to provide rural young people with skills that enhance their employability.
IIT Kanpur has inaugurated Kala Gram, a design development center at the Ranjit Singh Rozi Shiksha Kendra aimed at preserving and revitalizing traditional crafts through innovation. The press release stated that the Centre will act as a hub for artisans to investigate new materials, techniques, and market trends, promoting collaboration with emerging designers from leading institutions to develop products together.
The project’s principal investigator, Prof. Sandeep Sangal, emphasized its twofold aims: to furnish children with free, high-caliber education and to provide rural young people with skills that enhance their employability. He stated, “Our training program for rural youth over the past three years has reached more than 1,000 individuals. Our goal is to enable them to establish their own production units and become creators of jobs.”
The Centre will first concentrate on Bithoor pottery, Kalpi handmade paper, and Kanpur home furnishings. Rita Singh, Project Executive Officer, remarked, “Our aim is to revitalize these crafts through innovative design advancements, tackling the difficulties faced by artisans, and enhancing the attractiveness of their products.”
Prof. Manindra Agrawal, director of IIT Kanpur, said, “The launch of Ranjit Singh Rozi Shiksha Kendra marks a significant step in empowering traditional artisans. By bringing together IIT Kanpur’s faculty and external experts, we aim to elevate the craftsmanship of rural artisans and create a lasting impact on the value of their products.”
Other dignitaries were also present at the event, including Prof Amey Karkare, dean of resources and alumni; Prof. Satyaki Roy, who leads the design department; Prof. Sudhanshu S. Singh, Co-PI of the design project; Prof. Amarendra K. Singh, PIC Technopark am Institut; as well as Prof Kallol Mandal from the materials science and engineering department, among others.
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