India StoneMart 2017 was inaugurated by Shri Rajpal Singh Shekhawat, Hon'ble Minister for Industries, Govt. of Rajasthan on 2nd February 2017. He urged the industry for global leadership of India in dimensional stone sector. He went on to add that this year's theme "Stones for Sustainability" was most apt in the present scenario and the industry should absorb whatever changes the new GST regime will bring. He called upon architects to take a lead in promoting stone in construction industry.

 

Addressing the gathering, Shri O.P. Meena, Chief Secretary, Rajasthan said that the stone sector in India has started introducing modern techniques and technologies and the results have started trickling in. 

 

Ashok Dhoot, Vice Chairman, CDOS urged the State Government to consider setting up an export promotion council for the stone industry after getting clearance from the union government. Similarly, he also requested the State Government to give "industry status" to dimensional stone sector to give it a fillip. He also urged the government to consider keeping the stone industry in the 5% tax slab of GST.

 

Shilpgram is one of the major attractions of Stonemart in CDOS and RUDA. Shilpgram is aimed towards providing a platform for artisans to showcase their talent and develop direct business links with domestic and international buyers. With the opportunity of establishing direct linkages and networking, artisans find it easier to sell their products to serious buyers and connoisseurs. 

 

A two day technical seminar was also organised concurrent to India StoneMart 2017 during 3-4 February 2017. There were 12 speakers in the seminar and they deliberated on different technical aspects of Natural Stone mining, processing, value addition, utilization of stone waste, new markets, etc. 

 

On the last day of the event on February 5, 2017, a ceremony to award the best stalls for display was organised. Awards were given by Shri Rajpal Singh Shekhawat in different categories for best display and innovative handicrafts products of various companies. 

 

The second edition of Jaipur Architecture Festival (JAF) was organised concurrent with India StoneMart 2017 at JECC during February 2-4, 2017. The theme of the festival was "Invisible Routes - Celebrating Architectural Splendor in Stone". The three day festival was inaugurated by Shri Yunus Khan, Hon'ble Minister for PWD and Transport, Government of Rajasthan.

 

Jaipur Architecture Festival was organised by CDOS and FICCI in association with Council of Architecture and Indian Institute of Architects as the knowledge partners. Festival was also supported by Indian Institute of Interior Designers - Jaipur Regional Chapter and IIA Rajasthan Chapter.

 

Jaipur Architecture Festival has emerged as a unique platform for exchanging ideas on cities of the future. The curator of the festival was the renowned architect, social activist and writer Durganand Balsavar. He said that since India is planning to build 100 small cities, exchanging ideas about the best practices in this field around the world will benefit the programme.