Tribes India and TRIFED under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs launched “Punch Tantra Collection and Ms. Mary Kom as Brand Ambassador of Tribes India” at a function held in New Delhi on September 27, 2018.
- Shri Jual Oram, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs introduced the Indian Sporting Legend and the World Boxing Champion Ms. Mary Kom as the Brand Ambassador of “Tribes India” and launched the “Punch Tantra” Diwali collection.
The Punch Tantra range
- The Punch Tantra range of tribal artefacts includes handlooms and handicrafts, which are inspired and promoted by the World Boxing Champion Ms Mary Kom.
- These product symbolises with the years of hard-work, discipline, determination and dedication of both tribal artisans of the country and the Brand Ambassador Mary Kom.
- As the name of the collection suggests, the “punch” of Mary Kom represents the hard work and dedication of the tribal master craftpersons in creating such master prices of art and craft.
- The Punch Tantra is a magnificent collection of such excellence and powerful tribal legacy, which comprises of a range of ethnic and traditional tribal handicraft and handloom products like Sarees, Stoles, Dupatas, Shawls, Kurtas/Kurtis, Lamp shades (Kandels), Sky Lanters, Diyas, Gift hampers, etc. specially introduced for the coming Diwali and festival season.
- As part of its initiative of promoting tribal entrepreneurship and generating livelihood opportunities, TRIFED invited top 200 tribal artisans/ producers associated with it, from different regions of the country. Besides, a team of 60 young entrepreneurs from Dantevada, Chhattisgarh was also present.
- These young entrepreneurs have been invited to Delhi jointly by Niti Aayog and TRIFED to explore opportunities for livelihood development. All these tribal artisans and entrepreneurs create attractive handcraft and handloom products out of different fabrics, iron/metal or clay, wood/bamboo, beads and other material close to nature. Much of their output relates to fabrics, which are simple, in bold designs and colours, and express a simple but robust attitude to life.
- Tribal artisans are excellent at crafting things of beauty, but vulnerable in the competitive world of urban marketing. It is here that the Government has to intervene to fulfil its constitutional obligation of protecting the cultural and economic interest of tribes, which include providing livelihood and empowering them for a better life.
