Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI:The Bharat Mandapam complex recently transformed into a dynamic showcase of the country’s economic diversity, bringing together traditional crafts, farm enterprises, startup innovations, and regional specialities from across states. The 44th India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2025, which concluded on November 27, witnessed more than 3,500 participants, with each carrying his/her own story of labour, heritage, and aspiration.
The 14-day event was not merely a commercial gathering but a platform where first-generation entrepreneurs, rural artisans, and home-grown brands got an opportunity to test their demand, connect with buyers, learn from peers, and access state support mechanisms.
The fair, organised annually by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), is one of the country’s most significant platforms for MSMEs, artisans, startups and industries to connect with buyers and expand their market reach. Over the years, it has grown into a showcase of India’s manufacturing strength, innovation and traditional crafts across diverse sectors.
National spotlight
At the Bihar pavilion, 45-year-old Sridhi Kumari stood before rows of Bhagalpuri silk and zari workcraft she has honed over 12 years. As a first-time participant at IITF, she embodied the journey of women-led entrepreneurship, showcasing Bhagalpuri silk that holds a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
She said the Bihar Government extended support through its women-entrepreneurship schemes. “Our secretary guided me through all formalities,” she shared, emphasising how administrative assistance matters for first-timers.
A few rows away, 49-year-old Tarun Pandey from Nalanda adjusted soft Baavanbuti saris with fine motifs. This marked his eighth participation at IITF. As a traditional weaving artisan, he represents a generational weaving tradition practiced across numerous Bihar villages.
He shared that IITF remains his primary annual exhibition. Explaining the income benefit, he said, “I earn the equivalent of nearly two to two-and-a-half months of my income from IITF.”
Expanding opportunities
Prahlad Ramrao Borgad and his wife Kaveri from Maharashtra’s Hingoli district, welcomed visitors with neatly packed organic pulses, turmeric, ginger, pickles and other spices. A lifelong farmer, Borgad adopted organic farming in 2012 and formally launched ‘Surya Farmers’ in 2015 with support from his local Self-Help Group and the Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) Department.
Such platforms, he said, “are not only about selling products…They help us build contacts, understand consumer expectations, and learn how to present our work professionally. As farmers, we would not learn these things on our own.”
In Maharashtra pavilion, Rukmani Ganeshpat Salge’s stall displayed quilts crafted in the historic Godhari art form, a tradition kept alive by generations of women in her region. However, the craft faces pressure from mass-produced alternatives available in the market at lower prices. “This is my first year at IITF,” Rukmani said, as she smoothened the edges of a vibrant quilt.
“Each Godhari quilt takes four to five days of hand-stitching,” she said. These quilts, priced between Rs 1,000 and Rs 6,000, stand out for their authenticity and detailed workmanship.
Jharkhand focus
Jharkhand, celebrating its 25th year of statehood, was the state in focus at IITF 2025. At its pavilion, artisan Jhabar Mal displayed lacquer bangles crafted through traditional techniques passed down through tribal communities. A participant for the past four to five years, he noted that he was the only artisan selling lac bangles at IITF.
“I do not earn very high amounts in these 14 days,” he said, adding, “I come to IITF for my permanent customers who wait for me every year. Some of them even pre-order the bangles and collect them here.”
Mal said, “The orders that come after the fair support nearly 400 Adivasi women who work with me back home in Jharkhand.” He is part of the Lah Hasta Shilpa Swabalambi Sahakari Samitee, a cooperative dedicated to sustaining rural livelihoods through craft.
Economic ecosystem
Trade fairs like IITF play a much wider role than facilitating direct sales. They function as economic support systems where small traders gain visibility, secure long-term buyers, and understand market behaviour. Exhibitors often emphasise that post-fair orders matter as much as immediate sales, with many reporting income equivalents to several months.
The 2025 edition aligned with India’s broader vision under Viksit Bharat 2047, highlighting economic resilience, political stability, and expanding trade linkages, including ongoing Free Trade Agreements with various global partners.
The stories behind each stall reflected the remarkable diversity of India’s entrepreneurial landscape. IITF is a place where tradition meets enterprise, where local skills find national relevance, and where small businesses gain the momentum they need to progress.
In its 44th edition, the fair established that India’s economic growth emerges not only from large industries but equally from the perseverance, creativity, and ambition of small entrepreneurs.
