Vikash Sharma

Sambalpur: Making Odisha proud, master weaver and entrepreneur Ramkrishna Meher won the World Crafts Council (WCC) award 2018 for excellence in handicrafts for his ‘Sambalpuri Ikat Saree’. The jury panel comprising international experts picked Meher’s Sambalpuri Ikat Saree as the winner among the 215 products globally.

“The Sambalpuri Ikat has won the award and I am just a medium. Winning the international award is certainly a matter of pride for the weavers and for the State,” said Meher.

According to sources, the jury appreciated the weaving skill that is still prevalent within the community and the design depicting various occupations is innovative in the Asia Pacific region. The award was given based on four criteria including excellence, authenticity, innovation and marketability with two pre-conditions - environment and social responsibility.

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