Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director General of the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), recently had the privilege of meeting Shri Sandeep Bakshi, Managing Director and CEO of ICICI Bank. The interaction served as an opportunity to share insights on EDII’s remarkable 40-year journey and the institute’s wide-ranging developmental initiatives across the country.
During the meeting, Dr. Shukla highlighted EDII’s significant strides in promoting heritage-based entrepreneurship, particularly its focused efforts in reviving the traditional and diminishing GI-tagged craft of Mata-ni-Pachedi a sacred textile art form of Gujarat. This initiative, carried out in collaboration with the ICICI Foundation, has been implemented under the guidance of Shri Sanjay Datta, President, ICICI Foundation.
The conversation underlined the fruitful partnership between EDII and ICICI Foundation in promoting cultural preservation while enabling sustainable livelihoods. Dr. Shukla emphasized how EDII’s innovative, community-based interventions have not only rejuvenated the craft but have also empowered local artisans, especially women, by integrating skill development with market linkage support.
The meeting reaffirmed the shared vision of both institutions toward fostering inclusive growth, sustainability, and strategic collaborations for socio-economic development. EDII’s legacy, built over four decades, continues to reflect its commitment to nurturing entrepreneurship, preserving cultural heritage, and supporting grassroots innovation.
This engagement further strengthens the longstanding relationship between EDII and ICICI Bank, one of the founding promoters of the institute, and marks a step forward in their collective mission of building a self-reliant and enterprising India.
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