Maharashtra govt in talks to revive dying Kolhapuri chappal industry

The Maharashtra government has said it will conduct research on the dying Kolhapuri chappal industry and obtain a patent in a bid to revive it.

As reported in The Indian Express, the state government will conduct research on the industry. On May 5, the Maharashtra State Khadi and Village Industries Board has organised a day-long meet between industry representatives and artisans from the district.

“The state government wants to revive local businesses and we are starting with Kolhapuri chappals,” Maharashtra State Khadi and Village Industries Board, chairman, Vishal Chordia told PTI.

“For the first time such an initiative is being undertaken where industry representatives will meet with the artisans. The Kolhapur-based artisans will come to know the demands, expectations and taste of customers. They could tweak the traditional design of Kolhapuri chappal and foray into the market,” Chordia said.

Kolhapuri chappal is a peculiar type of leather sandal with traditional designs. Few decades back, it was in demand prompting artisans to pass on the business to their next generations.

But in the recent time, the demand is slowing down and artisans are reluctant to make more investment and carry out aggressive marketing for promotion of these chappals.

Chordia, who took the charge of the Board six …read more