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News18
02-07-2025
- Business
- News18
Maharashtra Secures 40+ GI Tags To Protect Traditional Crafts Amid Kolhapuri Row With Prada
Last Updated: Kolhapuri Chappals are traditional handcrafted leather sandals that originated from the town of Kolhapur in Maharashtra, India. Kolhapuri Vs Prada: The row over the alleged imitation of the Kolhapuri chappal design without credit by global luxury fashion brand Prada has brought attention to a larger issue — the unauthorized use of India's traditional crafts, handicrafts, and heritage without any monetary reward or recognition. In response, and to protect and promote traditional crafts and manufacturing skills of the state, the Maharashtra government has announced that it has secured over 40 Geographical Indication (GI) tags for state-specific products, including Kolhapuri chappals, according to a report by The Indian Express. Maharashtra Development Commissioner Deependra Singh Kushwah said during an industry-oriented conclave in Mumbai, said Prada is now in trouble as the government has GI tags, including the Kolhapuri Chappal. He further said that good news would come for makers of Kolhapuri Chappal in the coming days and they were working to obtain 30 more GI tags in the coming few months. GI Tag stands for Geographical Indication Tag. It is a legal label used to identify products that come from a specific location and have unique qualities, reputation, or traditional know-how linked to that place. What Is The Kolhapuri Chappal and Prada Controversy? The storm began when a model appeared in the Spring-Summer 2026 menswear collection wearing the luxury footwear resembling to the Kolhapuri Chappal. Netizens condemn the luxury brand for stealing India's heritage without giving credit. A flurry of posts have surfaced on social media condemning the new showcased footwear of Prada without any credit to the original makers and cultural appropriation. Following the uproar, Prada openly acknowledged that the inspiration of its new footwear had Indian roots. A Prada spokesperson told BBC that has 'always celebrated craftsmanship, heritage and design traditions", adding that it was 'in contact with the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture on this topic". A Brief History of Kolhapuri Chappal The origin of the Kolhapuri Chappal goes back almost 800 years. These are traditional handcrafted leather sandals that originated from the town of Kolhapur in Maharashtra, India. Kolhapuri Chappals are known for its durability and sturdiness with decorative designs, intricate patterns and regional styles. They have become India's craftmanship heritage. The royalty of Kolhapur promoted these chappals in the 13th century, helping them gain popularity across Maharashtra and nearby regions. In 2019, Kolhapuri chappals were granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, recognizing their unique identity and traditional method of production tied to Kolhapur and nearby districts. About the Author Business Desk Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: July 02, 2025, 10:16 IST
Indian Express
01-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Govt: Secured over 40 plus GI tags for products including Kolhapuri chappal
The Maharashtra government has announced steps to protect and promote traditional crafts and manufacturing skills of the state, following reports that Italian luxury brand Prada showcased footwear resembling the Kolhapuri chappal in its Spring-Summer 2026 menswear collection. The move aims to strengthen branding and secure copyright protection for local artisans and their products. 'We have secured more than 40 plus GI tags for Maharashtra specific products including the Kolhapuri chappal. That is why it has become an issue for Prada now and they are in a legal soup. Some very positive news will come for kolhapuri chappal makers in the coming few days due to this GI tags that we have obtained. We are now in the process of getting 30 more GI tags in the coming few months,' Maharashtra Development Commissioner Deependra Singh Kushwah said during an industry-oriented conclave in Mumbai organised by Loksatta at the World Trade Center. Kolhapuri chappals have the geographical indication (GI) tag that certifies how a product originates from a specific geographical area and possesses qualities or a reputation because of that origin. A GI tag helps preserve traditional knowledge, cultural heritage, and the livelihoods of its local practitioners. Kushwaha said that Maharashtra was also committed to facilitate the building of brands manufactured in India that command global respect and value. He said that the state government has proposed a One District One Product (ODOP) scheme where 72 unique products, two from each district that reflect the state's rich cultural and economic diversity, will be nurtured. The scheme is aimed at enhancing value chains, boost market access, and empower local producers. The programme includes capacity building by training producers to understand market dynamics, consumer demands, and business development strategies and also collaborate with institutions like the National Institute of Design to improve product aesthetics, packaging, and marketability. It includes setting up district-level quality testing laboratories, to ensure product quality and consumer trust and authenticate the value chain. Kushwah said that Maharashtra is also the only state where all districts are engaged in export activity with five key districts contributing 75 per cent of the state's total exports, and the next five accounting for an additional 20 per cent. The remaining 26 districts contribute to 5 per cent of the total exports. He said that the states aim was to increase the total value of exports from all the districts for which the Maharashtra government is currently supporting 30 export-oriented industrial parks, and over the next 4–5 years, these parks will receive targeted grants and policy support.
Indian Express
30-06-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Maharashtra plans vertical industrial development policy amid land crunch
In a push to boost industrial growth, the Maharashtra government is preparing to come out with a new policy to promote vertical industrial structures due to the acute land shortage and soaring land prices in the state. The announcement was made by Maharashtra Development Commissioner Deependra Singh Kushwah during an industry-oriented conclave in Mumbai on Monday. Speaking at the event B Radhakrishnan, chairman and managing director of MahaGenco (Maharashtra State Power Generation Company) said that the state also aims to gradually reduce electricity tariffs for industries over the next five years and pointed that cheaper electricity from renewable sources will soon become more accessible to industries. The announcements came during a panel discussion organised by Loksatta at the World Trade Center, aimed at exploring ways to transform Maharashtra into a USD 1 trillion economy. Key participants included Anant Goenka , vice-chairman RPG Group; Pratik Agarwal, managing director, Sterlite Power; Dinesh Joshi, Chairman of Satyagiri Group and Co-Chair of FICCI Maharashtra; Deependra Singh Kushwah and B. Radhakrishnan. P Velarasu, CEO of MIDC (Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation), presented the state's industrial policy roadmap. Industry leaders at the event voiced concerns over Maharashtra's high power tariffs, currently among the highest in the country. Addressing the concerns, Radhakrishnan said that the state plans to double its power generation capacity to 26,000 MW over the next decade, with the majority coming from renewable sources. This transition, he assured, will lead to a gradual decrease in electricity rates for industries over the next five years. Highlighting the land scarcity challenge, Kushwah said the proposed vertical industrial development policy would address cost pressures while ensuring sustainability. The policy will include strict guidelines to prevent pollution from waste, plastics, sewage, or air emissions, he said. RPG Group's Anant Goenka urged the government to immediately bring down power tariffs to Rs 6.50 per unit, ideally using green energy. In response, Radhakrishnan emphasised the state's shift toward renewable energy sources, which would help bring down prices sustainably. MIDC CEO Velarasu asserted that Maharashtra remains a leader in attracting foreign investment across multiple sectors and has maintained its competitive edge despite strong competition from other states. Speaking on urban development, Sterlite's Pratik Agarwal stressed the need for clean, livable cities to attract industrial investment. 'Cities like Singapore, London, Beijing, and Shanghai weren't always ideal—they overcame pollution and infrastructure challenges to become models of urban excellence. India too should aim to build at least five such pollution-free, world-class cities,' he said. He also cited Mumbai's hazardous air quality during winters, largely due to dust from construction and coal combustion, as an area needing urgent attention.
