📋 Group Discussion (GD) Analysis Guide

🌐 Introduction to the Topic

• 🖼️ Context Setting: “India’s rich cultural heritage is deeply embedded in its traditional crafts and arts, which contribute significantly to its soft power and economic identity. However, globalized industrialization has overshadowed these traditional industries, raising questions about their revival and relevance in the modern economy.”
• 📜 Background: India has over 3,000 craft forms, supporting approximately 7 million artisans. Despite this, many crafts face extinction due to declining patronage, lack of institutional support, and market competition. Recent governmental schemes like the “One District One Product” (ODOP) aim to rejuvenate this sector.

📊 Quick Facts and Key Statistics

🤝 Stakeholders and Their Roles

• 🏛️ Government: Policies like ODOP and GI tagging aim to preserve crafts and boost exports.
• 👩‍🎨 Artisans: Traditional custodians of crafts; key drivers of cultural preservation.
• 🏢 Private Sector: Supports market linkages, e-commerce platforms, and funding initiatives.
• 🛒 Consumers: Growing demand for eco-friendly and sustainable products globally.
• 🌐 NGOs and International Organizations: Provide training, market access, and advocacy.

🏆 Achievements and Challenges

🎉 Achievements

• 🪧 GI Tagging: Over 470 GI-tagged products enhance market visibility.
• 📈 Export Growth: 15% YoY growth in craft exports (FY 2023-24).
• 🛍️ E-commerce Integration: Platforms like Amazon Karigar and Etsy link artisans to global markets.
• 🌟 Regional Success: Gujarat and Odisha revived dying crafts like Rogan painting and Pattachitra.

⚠️ Challenges

• 🏗️ Lack of Infrastructure: Limited access to raw materials and modern tools.
• 💸 Low Artisan Wages: Artisans earn less than $2/day on average.
• 🌍 Global Competition: Industrial replicas reduce demand for authentic crafts.

🌏 Global Comparisons

• 🇨🇳 China: Efficient state-sponsored export models.
• 🇯🇵 Japan: Revitalized traditional crafts through tourism integration.

📖 Case Studies

• 🧵 Kutch Embroidery: Community efforts in Gujarat revived this intricate craft, increasing local incomes by 30%.

💡 Structured Arguments for Discussion

• ✅ Supporting Stance: “Reviving traditional crafts will boost employment and preserve India’s cultural heritage.”
• ❌ Opposing Stance: “Global market preferences for cheaper alternatives make this revival economically unsustainable.”
• ⚖️ Balanced Perspective: “A phased approach blending tradition with technology can ensure sustainable craft revival.”

🎯 Effective Discussion Approaches

• 💬 Opening Approaches:
  • “With a market size of $3.5 billion, India’s craft sector holds untapped potential for socio-economic transformation.”
  • “Nearly 30% of traditional crafts face extinction—this is more than just a cultural loss; it’s an economic one.”
• ⚡ Counter-Argument Handling:
  • Acknowledge industrial challenges but highlight the rising global demand for sustainable products.
  • Emphasize successful global examples of craft integration with modern economies.

🔍 Strategic Analysis of Strengths and Weaknesses

🏫 Connecting with B-School Applications

• 🌟 Real-World Applications: Marketing strategies for handmade products, policy analysis for cultural preservation.
• 💼 Sample Interview Questions:
  • “How can digital platforms revolutionize India’s craft industry?”
  • “What role does sustainability play in reviving traditional crafts?”
• 🧠 Insights for B-School Students: Examine supply chain models, explore rural entrepreneurship, and leverage e-commerce for market access.