Rajasthan’s state government has started a drive to vaccinate over 25,000 artisans in Jaipur. The artisans are employed by over by 100 gems and jewellery manufacturing, and export units in Jaipur’s Sitapura Industrial Area. The vaccination camp, which was set up in the area by the local government, aims at encouraging vaccinations, increasing safety against COVID-19 and confidence amongst the workers.
Rajasthan, which is home to various working artisans, started it’s drive for the 18-44 age group on May 1, and has since seen 3,21,022 people get their first vaccine dose. The state government has also reportedly announced that it will soon start a door-to-door vaccination drive in the city of Bikaner.
The drive in Sitapura, carried out with logistical support from the Sitapura Gem and Jewellery Industry Association, was also requested by the Indian Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) to help the gems and jewellery industry bounce back after a pandemic-induced slowdown. The pandemic as well as the second wave in the country saw a lack of workers at many jewellery workshops, making it difficult for deliveries to be on schedule. According to the GJEPC, various Jaipur-based gems and jewellery manufacturing units have been rushing to meet export delivery deadlines for the US as well as Europe. The GJPEC also recently announced a partnership with e-commerce platform eBay, for the launch of an exclusive jewellery store on the online platform to boost Indian jewellery exports.
Image used for representational purposes only.