Minister for Handlooms and Textiles S. Savitha, AP Advisor for Handlooms and Handicrafts Suchitra Ella and MLA Bojjala Sudheer Reddy distribute tool kits to artisans at Srikalahasti in Tirupati district on Saturday. | Photo credit: KV POORNACHANDRA KUMAR
Minister for Handlooms and Textiles S. Savitha felicitated five artisans who recently received national awards from the President of India at Srikalahasti in Tirupati district on Saturday. She also distributed toolkits to 100 artisans from Madhavamala and Srikalahasti along with Government Advisor on Handloom and Handicrafts AP Suchitra Ella and MLA Bojjala Sudheer Reddy.
Awardees include Gorsa Santosh (National Award 2024 for Etikoppaka Toys), D. Sivamma (Shilp Guru Award 2023 for Leather Puppet Craft), P. Vijaya Lakshmi (National Handicraft Award 2023 for Kalamkari Hand Painting), Khande Anjanina2 Mention2 Award for Khande2 Leather and Khande2 Mention2 for Leather Puppet Craft)
In 2025-2026, Andhra Pradesh Handicrafts Development Corporation Limited (APHDC) received a grant to implement an enhanced program of distribution of tool kit to artisans in wood carving at Madhavamala (50 artisans) and Srikalahasti (50 artisans) under the National Handicrafts Development Program in NHDP.
APHDC Vice-Chairman and Managing Director Vishwa M. said, “This initiative aims to promote and preserve the state’s rich handicraft traditions. Local artisans who hold identity cards issued by the Development Commissioner – Handicrafts have been selected under this project to distribute improved tool kits worth ₹ 10,000 per artisan.”
APHDC also provides regular marketing support through 19 Lepakshi Emporiums, conducts training and technical development programs in various clusters and creates marketing platforms by organizing Gandhi Shilp Bazaars with financial support from DC (H). Tool kits include hand tools, electronic machines and other accessories.
Published – 13 Dec 2025 19:54 IST
