Flipkart, in collaboration with the Government of West Bengal, conducted a capacity-building workshop for over 50 artisans and weavers in Kalna. The initiative, part of Flipkart’s nationwide Samarth program, aimed to equip local producers with the tools to access wider online markets and leverage the e-commerce platform for business growth.
The session focused on easing the onboarding process to Flipkart’s marketplace, covering crucial aspects such as product listing, logistics management, and scaling operations. Senior officials including Shri Shubham Aggarwal (SDO, Kalna), Shri Krishna Chandra Munda (Deputy Magistrate), and district-level officers from the handloom and khadi sectors were present at the event, emphasizing government backing for grassroots digitization.
Rajneesh Kumar, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Flipkart Group, commented on the collaboration, saying,“Our partnership with the Government of West Bengal underscores Flipkart’s dedication to promoting digital inclusivity across India. Through this collaboration, we aim to unlock greater economic opportunities for artisans in Kalna, nurturing a new generation of entrepreneurs empowered by technology. The Samarth program is rooted in the vision of bridging the digital divide for underserved communities – enabling them to build sustainable livelihoods through e-commerce. By providing guidance, resources, and support, Flipkart is committed to integrating rural enterprises into the larger narrative of India’s economic growth.”
this digital push is expected to open national-level opportunities for the region’s artisan clusters, which have long relied on traditional sales channels. With structured support and exposure to e-commerce, Durgapur-based weavers and MSMEs stand to benefit significantly from expanded reach and revenue streams. Flipkart Samarth, launched in 2019, continues to strengthen rural entrepreneurship by integrating artisans into India’s growing digital economy.