Roorkee, Uttarakhand Jan 20: Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee announces the approval for establishing ‘SANCHAY’ –a Craft Based Resource Centre (CBRC) under the National Handicrafts Development Programme (NHDP) of the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. The Centre will be set up on IIT Roorkee’s historic campus, marking a significant step toward integrating India’s craft heritage with technology, design, and contemporary innovation. The Ministry has facilitated this Resource Center through the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts).
SANCHAY (Safeguarding, Accumulating, Nurturing Craft and Heritage to stimulate Aatmanirbharta and Yogyata) is envisioned as a national hub dedicated to nurturing, protecting, and advancing India’s diverse craft traditions. Anchored initially in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand, the Centre will focus on revitalising traditional and endangered crafts and empowering craft communities through structured training, design development, digital documentation, and modern technological support.
The initiative is being led by the Department of Design, headed by Prof. Apurbba Kumar Sharma, with Prof. Smriti Saraswat (Coordinator) and Prof. Inderdeep Singh; Prof. Usha Lenka; Prof. Bibhuti Bhattacharjya (Co-Coordinators), supported by doctoral students Syed Ifrah Asfar and Aditya Jain.
The CBRC will house state-of-the-art facilities, technology-enabled workspaces, design and exhibition studios, maker labs, and digital archives. It will further develop a comprehensive craft encyclopaedia, craftsperson directories integrated with ONDC and Make in India platforms. The Center will also organise training programmes aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP). The CBRC will thus serve as a unique national and international platform for artisans to upgrade skills, innovate, access markets, and engage with contemporary design paradigms.
Beyond its regional focus, SANCHAY will contribute to India’s global craft diplomacy, supporting sustainable livelihoods, advancing cultural preservation, promoting material culture, fostering design thinking, and creating new opportunities for research, entrepreneurship, and creative industries.
Director, IIT Roorkee – Prof. K. K. Pant remarked, “SANCHAY reflects IIT Roorkee’s commitment to integrating India’s rich craft heritage with modern science, design, and technology. The Centre will create a national model for innovation-driven craft revival and community empowerment, strengthening India’s cultural economy and global leadership in the creative sector.”
The Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India stated, “SANCHAY represents a forward-looking model for craft preservation and innovation. By partnering with IIT Roorkee, we aim to strengthen traditional knowledge systems, support craft communities, and integrate technology-driven solutions that enhance the visibility, sustainability, and global reach of Indian crafts. This collaboration is an important step toward empowering artisans and carrying India’s cultural heritage into the future.”
SANCHAY positions IIT Roorkee at the intersection of heritage, innovation, and sustainable development, enabling multidisciplinary collaboration across design, engineering, social sciences, and entrepreneurship. The Centre aims to become a lighthouse institution for craft preservation, skill advancement, and cultural innovation—contributing meaningfully to national priorities and global creative dialogues.