GI initiatives in Varanasi and their impact on local communities
IANS introduces Dr. Rajani Kant's work with Geographical Indications in Varanasi.
Watch on X · IANSMedia & Gallery
Moments from three decades of grassroots work.
Videos, awards, dignitary visits, training centres, and community events from across Human Welfare Association's programmes in Varanasi and Uttar Pradesh.
Latest interview
Podcast: a conversation with the GI Man of India
The Varanasi Facebook page काशी के मोदी sat down with Padma Shri Dr. Rajani Kant for a podcast conversation in Hindi. Published 17 October 2026.
“बनारस की शान, GI मैन के नाम से विख्यात पद्मश्री डॉ. रजनीकांत के साथ एक दिलचस्प बातचीत”Watch on Facebook ↗
Latest institutional partnership
HWA and IIT Madras sign MoU for post-GI technology support
Human Welfare Association and IIT Madras signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 25 August 2026 to launch the Artisan Empowerment Lab. The initiative will develop a trusted digital registry for GI crafts using AI, QR codes, blockchain, and related technologies to strengthen authenticity, provenance, and artisan livelihoods.
The pilot will begin with five GI craft categories in the Varanasi region and work directly with 500 artisans. Dr. Rajani Kant signed for HWA and Professor Manu Santhanam, Dean of Industrial Consultancy and Sponsored Research, signed for IIT Madras in the presence of Director Professor Kamakoti Veezhinathan. HWA describes this as India’s first MoU of its kind focused on post-GI technological support.
Read the IIT Madras project announcement ↗
Recent recognition
Honorary D.Litt. for social service and GI leadership
Arunachal University of Studies honoured Padma Shri Dr. Rajani Kant at its 9th Convocation in Namsai on 11 February 2025. Read the story in English and Hindi, and view photographs from the convocation and related recent recognitions in Arunachal Pradesh.
Read the bilingual articleVideos
Films, news features, and interviews featuring our work and Dr. Rajani Kant.
IANS video interview
Three clips from IANS with Dr. Rajani Kant on Kashi's crafts, GI protection, and livelihoods. Published 20 September 2026.
Kashi's crafts and the journey of GI protection
Dr. Rajani Kant speaks with IANS about the city's craft traditions and GI journey.
Watch on X · IANS
The Kashi GI model and artisan livelihoods
Dr. Rajani Kant discusses the communities connected with Kashi's GI products.
Watch on X · IANSIndependent coverage
Press & public references
Follow reporting and public-sector references about Padma Shri Dr. Rajani Kant—widely known as the “GI Man of India”—and HWA’s work on Geographical Indications, artisans, handlooms, and heritage livelihoods.
Indian Institute of Technology MadrasEnglish
IIT Madras and Human Welfare Association launch GI authentication and traceability initiative
An IIT Madras press release on its MoU with HWA, signed by General Secretary Dr. Rajni Kant, to develop digital authentication and traceability tools for GI-tagged crafts and producer communities.
Indo-Asian News Service (IANS)Hindi
काशी के जीआई मॉडल ने बदली लाखों लोगों की जिंदगी: पद्मश्री डॉ. रजनीकांत
आईएएनएस की वाराणसी रिपोर्ट में डॉ. रजनीकांत काशी के जीआई मॉडल, कारीगरों और बुनकरों की आजीविका तथा स्थानीय उत्पादों की पहचान पर बात करते हैं।
The Times of IndiaEnglish
Kashi emerges as India’s vibrant GI hub
A Varanasi report drawing on GI expert Padma Shri Rajni Kant’s account of how Kashi and Uttar Pradesh grew into major centres of Geographical Indication registration.
Solitaire International (GJEPC)English
Rajani Kant: GI is more than a tag, it is a living legacy
After visiting the GI-tagged jewellery pavilion at IIJS Bharat Premiere 2026, the HWA General Secretary explains in an exclusive interview why a GI is community intellectual property and how traditional jewellery crafts can gain visibility.
TV9 HindiHindi
National Handloom Day 2026: क्या बदले बनारस के बुनकरों के हालात?
राष्ट्रीय हथकरघा दिवस पर टीवी9 की रिपोर्ट में जीआई विशेषज्ञ पद्मश्री डॉ. रजनीकांत बनारसी हथकरघा, जीआई ब्रांडिंग और बुनकरों की बदली परिस्थितियों पर सवालों के जवाब देते हैं।
The Times of IndiaEnglish
Shiv’s Kashi powers Durga’s Kumartuli in its GI tag bid
The report identifies HWA General Secretary Rajani Kant as the Varanasi-based technical facilitator supporting Kumartuli artisans through the Geographical Indication application process.
Indo-Asian News Service (IANS)English
Padma Shri awardee Dr. Rajni Kant reflects on public service and recognition
An IANS interview identifies Dr. Rajni Kant as a Padma Shri social worker and Geographical Indication expert known for supporting indigenous and traditional Indian products.
Live VNSHindi
जीआई टैग से बनारस के जरी-जरदोजी को मिली नई पहचान
वाराणसी की रिपोर्ट में डॉ. रजनीकांत बनारसी जरी-जरदोजी की पारंपरिक तकनीक, जीआई पहचान और इस शिल्प से जुड़े कारीगरों तथा महिलाओं की आजीविका पर जानकारी देते हैं।
Banaras Lit FestEnglish
Padma Shri Dr. Rajnikant
The festival’s speaker profile connects the Rajnikant spelling with the Varanasi-based HWA social worker, GI promoter, and Padma Shri recipient.
Public referenceRead source
The Times of IndiaEnglish
Varanasi played important role in helping Panna Diamond get GI tag
The report credits HWA’s Padma Shri Rajni Kant with an active role in the Geographical Indication registration of Madhya Pradesh’s Panna Diamond, filed by the Panna district collectorate.
ThePrintEnglish
The GI tag man of India lives in Varanasi
A reported profile of Rajni Kant, HWA, and the Varanasi-based model connecting GI protection, culture, commerce, and artisan livelihoods.
ThePrint HindiHindi
भारत में GI टैग की लहर लाने वाला शख्स—नाम है रजनी कांत
हिंदी में विस्तृत प्रोफ़ाइल—डॉ. रजनी कांत, ह्यूमन वेलफेयर एसोसिएशन और भारत में जीआई संरक्षण के काम पर।
Press Information Bureau, Government of IndiaEnglish
NIFT Shillong opens Handloom Week with the ‘GI Man of India’
A Government of India release on Dr. Rajani Kant’s expert session about taking local crafts to global identity through Geographical Indications.
India Today NEEnglish
GI tag is survival, not just law: Rajani Kant champions artisan rights
Press Trust of India coverage of Dr. Kant’s NIFT Shillong address on GI protection as a tool for safeguarding traditional knowledge and strengthening rural artisan livelihoods.
Indian MastermindsEnglish
The journey of GI in India: Dr. Rajni Kant’s pioneering efforts
An interview-led account of the GI registration process, the Kashi model, and Dr. Kant’s work with artisans, farmers, and traditional producer communities.
The Times of IndiaEnglish
AP government honours ‘GI Man’ Rajani Kant
Coverage of the Arunachal Pradesh government’s recognition of Dr. Kant’s contribution to GI registration for the state’s indigenous textiles, agriculture, handloom, and handicraft products.
The Times of IndiaEnglish
Rajani Kant receives honorary Doctor of Literature
A report on Arunachal University of Studies honouring HWA General Secretary Rajani Kant for work in GI, IPR, sustainable development, and artisan employment.
The Times of IndiaEnglish
From Kashi to Kala Pani: Rajni Kant promotes Andaman’s GI products
Coverage of Padma Shri Rajni Kant and HWA’s technical facilitation, with NABARD support, of GI registration for seven tribal and traditional products from Andaman & Nicobar.
ETV Bharat HindiHindi
जीआई मैन डॉ. रजनीकांत के प्रयासों से धरोहर को मिल रही पहचान
ईटीवी भारत का वाराणसी साक्षात्कार, जिसमें डॉ. रजनीकांत जीआई संरक्षण, पंजीकरण प्रक्रिया और पारंपरिक उत्पादों की पहचान पर अपने अनुभव साझा करते हैं।
Northeast LiveEnglish
Arunachal indigenous products receive GI tags
Regional coverage records official acknowledgement of Padma Shri Dr. Rajani Kant’s GI expertise in work supporting Arunachal Pradesh products, artisans, farmers, and entrepreneurs.
National Law University DelhiEnglish
Two decades of GI law and challenges in the Indian handloom sector
NLU Delhi records Dr. Rajani Kant of Human Welfare Association delivering the keynote on artisan challenges, community-led GI recognition, and the resilience of India’s handloom traditions.
The Times of IndiaEnglish
GI Man helps get GI certification to goods across India
Coverage of Padma Shri Rajni Kant’s work with HWA to support GI registration for traditional goods and producer communities in multiple states.
Webdunia MarathiMarathi
बनारसी पान आणि लंगडा आंब्याला नवी ओळख, GI tag मिळाले
मराठी वृत्तात पद्मश्री डॉ. रजनीकांत बनारसी पान, लंगडा आंबा आणि इतर काशी कृषी उत्पादनांच्या जीआय नोंदणीतील नाबार्ड व उत्तर प्रदेश सरकारच्या सहकार्याची माहिती देतात.
The Times of IndiaEnglish
Ahead of PM Narendra Modi’s Varanasi visit, move to get GI tag for shehnai
The report records Padma Shri Dr. Rajani Kant of HWA supporting the Bharat Ratna Ustad Bismillah Khan Foundation’s GI application for the Banaras shehnai.
The Times of IndiaEnglish
This Rajni Kant has brought a GI revolution to handicrafts
A reported profile connects HWA General Secretary Rajni Kant’s GI work with renewed opportunities for traditional artisans, including Nizamabad black pottery and Banaras crafts.
The Times of IndiaEnglish
GI expert to register authorised users and train GI artisans
The report covers HWA’s Dr. Rajani Kant receiving a NABARD-supported assignment for authorised-user registration and skill training linked to GI products in Varanasi and eastern Uttar Pradesh.
Press Information Bureau, Government of IndiaEnglish
TRIFED and LBSNAA present a two-day GI Mahotsav
A Ministry of Tribal Affairs release names Padma Shri Dr. Rajani Kant as the expert briefing IAS officer trainees on GI processes and challenges faced by tribal producers and artisans.
The Indian WireEnglish
Dr. Rajni Kant: Facilitating a GI tagging guardianship
A profile of Dr. Rajni Kant and Human Welfare Association traces their work linking GI and intellectual-property protection with the livelihoods of weavers, artisans, and handicraft communities.
North Eastern Handicrafts & Handlooms Development CorporationEnglish
Dr. Rajani Kant, widely recognized as the ‘GI Man of India,’ visits NEHHDC
A Government of India enterprise highlights Dr. Kant’s work safeguarding heritage and strengthening Northeastern handicrafts and handlooms through GI protection.
Public referenceRead source
Names used by publishers include Rajani Kant, Rajni Kant, and Rajnikant. All references above concern Dr. Rajani Kant, General Secretary & Director of Human Welfare Association, Varanasi. External publishers control their own pages and availability.
Programme Archive
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