Nashik, Oct 25 (PTI) Shabari Naturals, a Maharashtra government initiative to promote products associated with tribal communities and forest gatherers, has won the prestigious ‘G-Mark – Global Design Award’ for its attractive packaging inspired by traditional art forms, officials said.
In his monthly radio broadcast ‘Mann Ki Baat’ on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the global honour for the social enterprise managed by the Nashik-headquartered Shabari Tribal Finance and Development Corporation (STFDC) and lauded the global recognition for the initiative.
The brand packaging includes Warli, Gond and Chitrakathi art as well as various legends of tribal culture. It has given a premium look to the products and brought the richness and sustainability of tribal life to global consumers through the design, the officials said.
The award, considered among the most prestigious in the field of design, will be given by the Japan Institute of Design Promotion in Tokyo on November 4. STFDC Managing Director Leena Bansod will receive it on behalf of the state government, they said.
With the global recognition, the brand will earn the official right to display the G-Mark logo on all of its packaging. The sticker acts as a powerful international trust seal for premium quality and sophisticated aesthetics, the officials said.
Shabari Naturals empowers tribal communities by marketing their natural products. It sells organic food items like wild honey, unpolished rice, pulses, millets, spices, and handmade traditional artefacts.
The packaging of these products has been designed creatively to depict the traditional art of Maharashtra’s tribal community, their lifestyle and love for nature, the officials said.
The international jury of the ‘Good Design Award’ (G-Mark) selected the design, praising its cultural value, sustainability and innovative presentation. Earlier, it had received the India Design Mark award, they said.
Maharashtra Tribal Development Minister Dr Ashok Uike said the award is an honour for the tribal culture as well as the hard work and livelihood of the tribal brethren. “It will give a big boost to the sustainable development and employment of the tribal community,” he said.
Bansod said it is a matter of pride for Shabari Naturals to have won a global design award for its packaging.
“With this award, the responsibility has also increased. The real recipients of this award are the tribal brethren. This inspiration comes from them,” the IAS officer added. PTI COR NR GK
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