A historic MoU was signed with Rare Planet in the presence of Chief Minister Shri Sai, providing a new market for women's self-reliance.
Raipur. A historic step has been taken in Jashpur district, spearheaded by the Forest Department, to give a new direction to women's empowerment and forest-based livelihoods. In the presence of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed yesterday in Bagiya between Rare Planet and self-help groups from Jashpur district—Jagran, Smile Aarti, Rakhi, and Muskan—for the marketing of Jashcraft brand products. Under this significant agreement, handicrafts, jewelry, and decorative products made from bamboo, twigs, clay, and wood by tribal women of Jashpur will now be available nationally through Rare Planet's sales outlets at major airports across the country. This will provide local self-help groups with a sustainable market, fair prices, and regular incomeOn this occasion, Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai described the MoU as a decisive achievement for the women of Jashpur, saying that through a brand like Jashcraft, the art of our tribal sisters will now reach people across the country. This initiative is not limited to the sale of products, but lays a strong foundation for women's self-respect, economic independence, and self-reliance. He said that the state government is continuously striving to connect forest and traditional knowledge-based livelihoods with the market, so that women can live a respectable life in their villages.

Chief Minister Shri Sai stated that this MoU embodies the concept of "Vocal for Local" and "Local to Global" and is a concrete and far-reaching initiative towards connecting the tribal women of Jashpur with the national economy. Present
on the occasion were Chief Minister's wife, Smt. Kaushalya Sai, Pathalgaon MLA Smt. Gomti Sai, District Panchayat President Shri Salik Sai, Collector Shri Rohit Vyas, Divisional Forest Officer Shri Shashi Kumar, women from self-help groups, and representatives from Rare Planet. During
the book release and appreciation of Jashcraft products,
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai released a special book on "Jashcraft." He inspected the jewelry and handmade products produced by Jashcraft and praised their quality, artistry, and innovation.
The women from the self-help groups warmly welcomed Chief Minister's wife, Smt. Kaushalya Devi, and MLA Smt. Gomti Sai, adorning them with traditional Jashcraft jewelry, which became a powerful symbol of women empowerment and respect for local culture. Apart from this, the Chief Minister also released a video prepared for the promotion of the Jashcraft brand, through which Jashcraft is expected to get wide recognition at the national level.Jashcraft: A Powerful Brand Born from Jashpur's Cultural Heritage
It's worth noting that Jashcraft is a living expression of the rich tribal cultural heritage of Jashpur district. Approximately 65 percent of the district's population comes from tribal communities, where handmade artifacts from bamboo, kansa grass, chind leaves, wood, and clay have been created for generations. In the past, the lack of an organized system and market limited the talent of artisans. 

The district administration's initiative has created a powerful platform called Jashcraft, which unites artisans from all eight development blocks of Jashpur district, providing recognition, protection, and a market for their art. At the heart of this initiative are tribal women artisans, whose handmade, unmechanized products convey a message of tradition, nature, and self-reliance. Drawing on indigenous knowledge, Jashcraft is emerging as a sustainable and respectable livelihood model.

This initiative run by the Forest Department is proving to be a milestone towards women's self-reliance, forest-based livelihood and national marketing of local products, which will give Jashpur a distinct identity on the national map of handicrafts in the coming times.