“India’s Treasures” serves as a heartfelt celebration of these skilled artisans and a platform to highlight the opportunities and challenges they face in their profession. The documentary underscores India’s rich heritage, the importance of sustainable development, and the pressing need to address the artisans’ demands for equal access to resources, financial support, and technology, aligning with Prime Minister Modi’s Vishwakarma Kaushal Samman Yojana. In August 2023, the documentary clinched the top honors at the prestigious New York International Film Awards.

The documentary’s impact did not stop there; it was promptly selected for an Independence Day special premiere on JioTV, the largest Indian OTT platform with 100 million digital users, and Dangal TV, India’s No. 1 TV channel, known for catering to the masses and rural populations. As a result, “India’s Treasures” has gained worldwide attention and received commentary from Indians in over 50 countries. Furthermore, it has been extensively covered by prominent Indian media outlets, such as the Times of India, Hindustan Times, Economic Times, Business Standard, The Hindu, Rajasthan Patrika, Week, PTI, and ANI, collectively reaching 200 million readers. The documentary also received accolades from the Indian government, specifically the Ministry of Textiles.

The genesis of “India’s Treasures” can be traced back to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of inclusive economic growth, which Ms. Bakshi views as a crucial component in making India the world’s third-largest economy. At the young age of 17, while studying economics, she has become a staunch advocate for sustainable development and believes in enabling every individual to contribute and earn while ensuring equitable access to resources and opportunities.

Ms. Bakshi’s grandmother played a pivotal role in inspiring the project. Through enchanting stories of Jaipur, a city renowned for its vibrant culture and history, she connected generations and linked her past experiences with Rhea’s present and, ideally, with the future of the skilled artisans’ craft.

In the past four years, Ms. Bakshi has been actively involved with Nai Disha, an NGO dedicated to providing education for underprivileged children. This experience sensitized her to the aspirations and challenges faced by vulnerable sections of society. She graciously shares this award with all her students at Nai Disha, who have significantly enriched her perspective and influenced her future career path.