By Dr. Logistics (Dr. Ankur Sharan) | Special Article for Achievers Talk
Muradabad, Uttar Pradesh — the iconic ‘Brass City of India’ — once again proved its mettle in the global export arena as it hosted a dynamic Exporter’s Meet recently. The event was graced by the Hon’ble Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Shri Om Birla, who addressed the vibrant gathering of artisans, exporters, and entrepreneurs with a visionary call for a ‘Viksit and Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.
This landmark event spotlighted not just the rich legacy of Muradabad’s handicraft sector but also the growing global demand for indigenous, handmade, and sustainable products under the ‘Make in India’ banner. Shri Om Birla’s powerful words, “Nischay hi aane wala samay Bharat aur yahaan ke naujawano ka hai,” echoed the aspirations of a new India that thrives on innovation, skill, and global market reach.
India’s Soft Power: Handicrafts, Heritage & High Potential
Muradabad, known for its exquisite brassware and artistic finesse, is a shining example of how local can truly go global. For decades, artisans here have carried forward India’s traditional wisdom and unmatched craftsmanship. But now, with strategic initiatives like ‘Vocal for Local’, ‘ODOP (One District, One Product)’, and ‘Make in India’, this legacy is being transformed into a structured export-oriented ecosystem.
Indian handcrafted products have become ambassadors of culture, sustainability, and innovation on global shelves. Countries in Europe, the Middle East, and North America are witnessing an upsurge in demand for ethically made and creatively designed Indian products — not just for their aesthetic value, but for the story they carry.
Logistics & Supply Chain: The Real Backbone
While the skill of artisans and the entrepreneurial drive of youth are vital, none of this can be successful without a robust, responsive, and reliable logistics framework.
As Dr. Logistics, I’ve often emphasized that Make in India is only half the battle; Deliver from India is the true goal. To meet global demand, we need to ensure faster transit times, seamless customs clearances, efficient ICD/port operations, and last-mile delivery excellence. Programs like the PM Gati Shakti initiative are timely and transformative in this regard.
The increasing demand for Indian exports — from textile clusters in Panipat to brass artisans in Muradabad — is now heavily reliant on multi-modal logistics and a digitally integrated supply chain.
Why Such Seminars Matter
Seminars like the one in Muradabad serve three crucial purposes:
- Empower Artisans & MSMEs: They educate, inspire, and connect local producers with global trade networks.
- Bridge Skill with Scale: Such platforms offer insights into certifications, quality standards, e-commerce, and export documentation, helping traditional artisans scale up.
- Strengthen Ecosystem Thinking: They bring stakeholders — from policymakers and financiers to exporters and logisticians — under one roof to co-create export strategies.
The Road Ahead
The world is increasingly looking toward India for sustainable alternatives, creative products, and reliable partnerships. To convert this opportunity into long-term impact, we must:
- Digitize our artisans by equipping them with e-commerce and global payment tools.
- Enhance logistics parks like ICD Dadri, Mundra Port, etc., for better EXIM movement.
- Encourage cross-sector collaboration between ministries, industry leaders, and youth.
- Foster youth-led entrepreneurship in rural clusters using skill development and ESG-backed financing.
The Spirit of Export is the Spirit of Bharat
Muradabad’s Exporters Meet was not just an event — it was a declaration of intent. An intent to rise, create, and connect. With its unique blend of heritage and forward-looking ambition, India is poised to become the manufacturing, supply chain, and innovation capital of the world.
Let us continue to support such initiatives and bring every artisan, every district, and every logistician into the larger vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat@2047.
– Dr. Logistics (Dr. Ankur Sharan)
