Crafting Local Legacies

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From perfumes and pottery to silver parts for satellites, small cities in India are home to unique industries. While some are finding new life with innovative technology and government support, others face tough times with falling demand and rising global competition. Can young innovators and smart policies help these local legacy industries thrive in today’s world?

Bhagyanagar in Karnataka is home to the hair processing industry. Source: Times of India

Did you know that Bhagyanagar in Karnataka accounts for 40% of hair processing in India? Or that Aligarh is the ‘Land of Locks’, where artisans craft up to 40 locks a day? There are many such industries thriving in India’s small cities and towns for decades now.

These lesser-known industries are slowly coming to the limelight. A hub for silverware utensils, Khamgaon houses Shraddha Refinery, which has been recognised for contributing silver-based components for ISRO satellites. Similarly, Meerut is renowned for sports goods manufacturing, with companies like Nelco Pvt. Ltd. supplying for international athletic events since the 80s.

Despite the global popularity of “Made in India” products, such industries also face numerous hurdles. Manufacturers of Coimbatore’s GI-tagged wet grinders are concerned over their falling demand. The economic impact of post-Covid, 18% GST, and changed dietary and cooking habits have all contributed to this decline.

Meanwhile, Aligarh’s traditional lock industry is rife with problems of child labour and increased competition from cheaper Chinese products.

Elsewhere, Bhagyanagar’s local wig-making industry suffers shortages due to bigger cities monopolising processed raw hair, along with the rise of smuggling to China via Myanmar.

Part of the Atal Incubation Centre’s Catalyst, Jaipur’s e-commerce start-up, MittiHub is trying to champion hand-made terracotta products. While local artisans are being supported through this initiative, consumers are also being offered a more sustainable choice. Source: The Karo Startup

Uttar Pradesh's Kannauj is famous for its natural perfume industry. Source: National Geographic

However, Tiruppur remains a key player in knitwear production despite the rising yarn prices. The government’s support from export-boosting schemes and Production Linked Incentives has aided this. Kannauj’s natural perfume, ittar has also seen a resurgence due to the growing interest in sustainability and organic products.

Young entrepreneurs are now bridging the gap between traditionally skilled artisans and modern consumers.

MittiHub, a Jaipur-based start-up, is reviving terracotta pottery by training and developing market linkages for artists. This venture is also planning to adopt 3D imaging to enhance the user experience. Such cases show the way for sensibly incorporating new-age tech into local, traditional industries.

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