Itanagar, Jun 27: Padma Shri awardee Dr Rajnikant, popularly known as the “GI Man of India,” visited the Arunachal Pradesh Regional Office of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) here on Friday and held discussions on promoting Geographical Indication (GI) products and strengthening livelihood opportunities for rural communities in the state.
During the meeting, attended by NABARD General Manager SV Ranga Rao, Deputy General Manager Vivek Anand and other senior officials, discussions focused on the institution’s support for rural artisans, weavers, craftsmen, farmers, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and Self-Help Groups (SHGs), as well as its efforts in facilitating GI certification for the state's unique indigenous products.
The participants deliberated on strategies for promoting and preserving GI-tagged products, highlighting their potential to generate sustainable livelihoods while safeguarding the rich cultural and natural heritage of rural communities.
NABARD officials informed that the institution has supported the highest number of GI sanctions and applications in the country, covering a wide range of products, including several ethnic and tribal products.
Commending NABARD’s initiatives, Dr Rajnikant emphasized the importance of GI tagging in preserving traditional knowledge, enhancing product value and creating better market opportunities for local producers. He noted that GI recognition can empower rural communities by linking traditional products to national and international markets.
The meeting also underscored the need to preserve indigenous products and traditional practices while integrating them into wider market networks to enhance economic benefits for local stakeholders.
NABARD acknowledged Dr Rajnikant’s contribution in guiding and supporting its GI-related initiatives in Arunachal Pradesh and reiterated its commitment to promoting and protecting the state's unique products through GI certification and market development efforts.