The opening acquaintance of the conclave was conducted by Fashion & Lifestyle accessories with expert Prof. Vijay Singh Katiyar, NID, Ahmedabad who has introduced handloom artisan with product diversification and set up the role of designer in their traditional work and pointed on the current situation of weaver and highlighted on the product development according to the market essential. In coincide with Mrs. Chavi Goyal, Assistant Professor & Hathkargha co-ordinator bring out that this conclave took the initiative with Instagram platform (page: cic kangra) by uploading artisans & weavers work as a global exposure. Following initiative clasp by Mr. Saurabh Garg-cluster coordinator, NIFT kangra collaborated with expert Ms. Megha Das, Kangra alumni owner of Amounee brand which promotes selling of traditional handicrafts products online. It followed with expert Ms. Vanisha, NIFT Kangra Alumni emphasized on design intervention of “Panja Dhurries” weaving. Another dynamism was collocate by Fashion Design department which supervised by Ms. Deepa Chauhan, Researcher &Alumni from NID & NIFT, who explained the particulars of sources of natural dyeing, demonstration of preparation of dye bath and colour fasteners to washing, natural dyes from locally available materials like marigold flower, onion peels. The artisan passionately participated knowing the process of Natural dyeing on wool and this summit also embrace Ms. Tanishvi Thakur, NIFT Alumni and founder of Himboosha who majorly focused the significance of tans & market study in details of design process and explained traditional & contemporary colours.

It succeeded by Department of Fashion Technology, with Expert Mr. Anoop Rai, NIFT alumni and Industrialist. He majorly focused on design innovation in handloom sector specialized in Himachal Pradesh astisans work. The conclave continued by Fashion Communication Department, with Expert Ms. Arushi Pathania, NIFT alumni and Founder of Shilp Studio. She focussed on Branding and promotion of crafts and emphasized on scope of craft industry and discussed the problems faced by artisans for their recognition and suggested solutions to them.

The two days online craft bazaar was held on 6&7 August 2021 where artisans were delighted to see their photographs and information published in Craft cluster documents made by NIFT students every year. It was also informed that there is a provision for admissions for artisans children in NIFT to study and become designers as stated by Dr. Paramita Sarkar, Assistant Professor. The artisans were happy to see the products made by students using the traditional fabric woven by them. One of the artisans also requested Mr. Saurabh Garg, Assistant Professor & CIC, NIFT, Kangra to send the photographs of the products to them.

Hathkargha conclave concluded with the webinar on “Sustaining the handloom heritage of India” organized by Dr. Babita , Assistant Professor discussion with eminent speakers Gunjan Jain, Founder of vriksh design; Shri Vankar Shamji vishram, National awardee weaving &Rashmi Bharti- Co-founder Avani society to discuss the current state of handloom industry- its challenges and scope & to strategize the interventions through which handloom industry can be sustain.