The 26th edition of Indian Handicrafts and Gifts Fair, the biggest sourcing event in Asia for such products that has over the years attained a good rapport among buyers in the international market, opened its doors for the October edition at Expo Mart, Greater Noida, on a slow note as anticipated. This year more than 1300 exhibitors displayed Indian hand crafted products like home textiles, utility items, gifts and fashion accessories. Buyers from the US, EU, Central Asia and Far East were seen at various stalls. As per the show report, around 1600 buyers registered on the first day itself, moreover, the four-day event ended with the estimated business of Rs. 500 crores.

Exhibitors reported an average response at the Fair and found it smaller in size as compared to previous editions. "Though many regular buyers were seen in the corridors of IHGF, we were not able to make many new contacts because of scarcity of new buyers," said Pooja Jayantika International, a Jaipur-based company that displayed bed linen, jute products and stationery items. "The response is average, we have many  enquiries. However, how many of them will turn into orders cannot be predicted," said Nitin Jain, Aesthetic Living Merchants Pvt. Ltd. The company displayed a very wide range of 100% cotton and polyester quilts with use of techniques like patchwork, prints, pintucks, quilting in neutral tones like beige, white, brown, grey, etc. "The response is not encouraging and can be rated as average, however, there were some serious buyers who placed instant orders," spoke Sandeep Malhotra, SVM, a Noida-based company that showcased knitted throws and blankets at its stall. Many stalls displayed printed home textiles, polyester rugs and decorative cushion covers.

Talking to some exporters and buyers, Team AO discovered that many buyers were still looking for X-Mas products like cushion covers and bedding in white and red combinations along with decorative home décor and gift products. Australian buyer Michelle Bober from the Michelle Bober Interiors, said, "We are not looking for any specific design or theme, we are trying to find out products that are innovative and are available at decent prices and most importantly have good finishing." Michelle appreciated the bed linen with subtle value additions and knitted throws and table linen. The company has designer shops in Australia and sources from India on a regular basis.

Torben Holm, a wholesaler from Denmark was looking for handicraft and home textile items at the Fair. Torben said, "We found some interesting aluminum items and decorative cushion covers for which we have already placed orders." He further added, "This is our first visit to India and we never knew that there is so much innovation here, we will definitely come in the next season also." Another buyer Timm Exner, Exner Gmbh, Germany said, "I have been coming to the Fair for many years, it is a good show. This year we observed increase in prices, however, we would still continue to buy from India because the range that is available here is not seen anywhere in the world."

An interesting area at the Fair, which remained a spotlight for many visitors, was the exclusive pavilion set up by the Office of the Development Commissioner Handicrafts, where beautiful and elegant handicrafts made by Shilp Gurus and Master Crafts were showcased. Leather puppetry from Andhra Pradesh, Palm leaf painting from Orissa, Madhubani and Mithila painting from Bihar, Hand block printing, raised hand embroidery work, Kalamkari art in paintings and sarees, durries in wool and cotton, metal carving, wood carving and paper machine items were some of the products seen in the pavilion.