GeM's 'Aabhar Collection': 294 products from 10 states as a digital gifting store for government buyers

What has happened

The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) has said it is promoting ‘The Aabhar Collection’. This is a dedicated digital storefront on GeM where specially selected gifts and hampers are available. According to the release, it showcases the country’s rich cultural heritage.

GeM is the online system for government procurement, where government departments and bodies buy goods.

What the collection has

According to the release, the collection has 294 product catalogues from 10 states and central handloom and handicraft emporia. These include products linked to the One District One Product (ODPP) initiative and Geographical Indication (GI) tags.

The list names ‘Cottage’ of the Central Cottage Industries Emporium, ‘Khadi India’ of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission, ‘Garvi Gurjari’ (Gujarat), ‘Himcrafts’ (Himachal Pradesh), ‘Jharcraft’ (Jharkhand), ‘Cauvery’ (Karnataka), ‘Mrignayani’ (Madhya Pradesh), ‘Marhati’ (Maharashtra), ‘Purbashree’ (Northeast) and ‘Poompuhar’ (Tamil Nadu).

The collection includes handicrafts, handloom, food items made by artisans, kitchen items and personal care products.

Who else may join

The release says seven other government emporia and organisations are in the final stage of joining as sellers. These include the Coffee Board, ‘Manjusha’ and ‘Biswa Bangla’ (West Bengal), Jammu and Kashmir Handloom and Handicrafts Marketing Corporation Ltd, ‘Merakai’ (Nagaland), ‘Utkalika’ (Odisha) and ‘Panthoibi’ (Manipur). Their catalogues will add more regional variety to the collection.

Who benefits

The release says government buyers get easy access to special products from different regions. It also says the collection supports artisans, weavers, rural entrepreneurs and women-led enterprises.

GeM Chief Executive Officer Shri Mihir Kumar said in the release that the Aabhar Collection is an important step in raising the profile of indigenous art and craft. GeM Additional CEO and head of social inclusion Shri Ajit B. Chavan said the aim was to connect the artisans’ ecosystem to the public procurement system through the #VocalForLocal storefront on GeM. According to the release, the collection was launched in July 2024.

What it means for ordinary people

The collection is for government buyers, who can choose gifts from it for official ceremonies, conferences, state-level events, foreign delegations, employee felicitation and retirement functions, and festivals. Ordinary citizens do not have to apply for anything.

Government buyers can view the collection at https://gem.gov.in/Aabhar.