Assam and Himachal Pradesh the India International Trade Fair (IITF) stands as a monumental annual event, a grand confluence where the industrial ambition, economic diversity, and rich cultural heritage of India converge. The 2025 edition proved no exception, transforming the expansive Pragati Maidan in New Delhi into a vibrant marketplace of ideas, products, and traditions. Among the myriad halls, Hall H-1, First Floor, offered an exceptionally captivating experience, acting as a gateway to the distinct and contrasting yet equally magnificent worlds of Himachal Pradesh and Assam.
This exclusive tour, chronicled by Desibiz, showcased the best of these two states—one famed for its serene Himalayan landscapes and high-altitude artisanal products, and the other for its lush, green plains, world-renowned tea, and ethereal silks. The sheer creativity, dedication, and entrepreneurial spirit on display reaffirmed the Trade Fair’s crucial role as a national and international platform for small-scale industries and local craftspersons.
From the intricate weaves of Kullu shawls and the medicinal richness of Pahari honey to the pioneering spirit of organic Assamese tea and the sheer luxury of Muga silk, Hall H-1 was a celebration of India’s ‘vocal for local’ ethos. For businesses, visitors, and buyers alike, this segment of the fair was a must-see, offering not just commerce, but a deep cultural immersion.
The Vibrant Tapestry of Himachal Pradesh: From Handlooms to High-Altitude Honey
Himachal Pradesh, the ‘Land of Snow’, brought the warmth and authenticity of the Western Himalayas to the bustling capital. The state’s pavilion was a testament to the fact that its products are more than just commodities; they are heirlooms crafted with generations of skill, thriving in the challenging, pristine environment of the mountains.
Weaving Dreams: The Tradition of Kullu Handlooms and Yak Wool Shawls
Stepping into the Himachal Pradesh handloom section was like being enveloped in Himalayan warmth. The featured stall offered a stunning array of woollen goods, showcasing the mastery of traditional Himachali weavers. The core of their product line centered on textiles made from natural fibers, painstakingly prepared on traditional handlooms.
The star attractions included:
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Yak Woollen Shawls: Prized for their exceptional warmth, softness, and durability, yak wool products represent a high-end segment of Himalayan textiles.
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Sheep Wool Stoles, Mufflers, and Loee: The Loee, a traditional, large sheet or blanket primarily for men, highlights the practical necessity and cultural significance of these woollen textiles in the region.
The artisans emphasized the labor-intensive nature of their craft. While simpler designs might be completed in a single day, the process is entirely manual, utilizing the Khaddi (traditional handloom). The quality and complexity of the design are directly proportional to the price, with luxurious shawls ranging from an accessible ₹2,000 and escalating sharply based on the work involved. Masterpieces with intricate designs can command prices of ₹50,000 to over ₹1,00,000, signifying the true value of handmade artistry.
The stall also proudly displayed the iconic Kullu Cap, a potent symbol of Himachali identity. The vendors explained that the cap’s distinct patterned border is crafted separately on a smaller loom before being integrated into the main fabric—a detail that underscores the layered complexity of their traditional weaving techniques [02:32]. Behind this impressive production is a dedicated community: the business owner mentioned employing around 150 workers, comprising both men and women, demonstrating the vital role this industry plays in the local economy and female empowerment [03:21].
Deen Dayal Bee Farm: Discovering the Medicinal Gold of Pahari Honey
The tour continued to a truly special product: the organic honey from Deen Dayal Bee Farm. The proprietor highlighted their focus on ethical beekeeping and the superior quality derived from the Pahari Madhumakkhi (local mountain bee). This honey is not mass-produced; its scarcity and high quality are reflected in its higher price point. The core value of this product lies in its exceptional medicinal properties, far surpassing standard honey varieties [04:15].
The stall showcased four unique varieties of honey, each with its own flavor, color, and therapeutic profile:
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Multi Flora Honey [04:39]: The most common variety, extracted from a mixture of diverse flowers. It serves as an excellent, wholesome sweetener.
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Pure Wild Honey [04:51]: Characterized by its dark color, this honey is collected seasonally during both winter and summer harvests, reflecting the raw, untamed nature of its source.
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Thyme Honey (Wild Ajwain) [05:39]: Collected from the high-altitude regions around scenic spots like Rohtang Pass, this variety is sourced from wild ajwain (thyme) plants. Its flavor is unique, and it possesses significant health benefits.
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Chichdi Honey (The Premium Treasure) [05:03]: This is the farm’s most valued and highest-priced product. Extracted between October and November, Chichdi honey is collected from flowers that bloom at the highest altitudes, specifically in areas rich with pure medicinal herbs [05:24]. It is considered a potent health tonic, bursting with medicinal value.
The business, which began its honey journey in earnest around 2015-2016 after a learning period, operates with a small, dedicated team of three to four workers who manage both the farming and the processing unit [06:41]. They cater to a broad customer base by offering online orders and courier services, ensuring that the high-quality, organic mountain honey reaches health-conscious buyers across the country [07:13].
Assam: The Organic Green Gold and Ethereal Silk of the North East
Moving from the rugged mountains to the verdant plains, the Assam pavilion at Hall H-1 presented a starkly different, yet equally compelling, narrative of industrial and cultural sophistication. Assam is globally synonymous with tea and silk, and the stalls here demonstrated why this legacy continues to thrive, driven by a new wave of organic farming and ethical production.
MJB Food Products: Pioneering Organic Tea from Garden to Cup
The section dedicated to Assamese tea, featuring MJB Food Products, immediately captured attention. The owner, Mr. Manas Jyoti Bora [08:01], emphasized a commitment to 100% organic farming, a rarity in a high-volume industry, proudly stating that not even 1% of pesticides or medicines are used in his own tea garden [08:21]. This dedication places his products in a niche of premium health and quality.
MJB Food Products showcased a diverse portfolio that moved far beyond the standard CTC (Crush, Tear, Curl) variety, although a premium CTC was also available:
Traditional Varieties: Green Tea and Orthodox Tea.
Specialty and Ornamental Teas: Blue Tea (World Famous), Camomile Tea, Mint Tea, Rose Tea, Marigold Tea, and the extremely costly White Tea (a luxurious ₹8,000 per kilogram).
The Delhi Debut: Mr. Bora introduced Rosella Tea, a product making its first appearance in the Delhi market, highlighting the company’s focus on innovation and variety [09:11].
He explained that the process for specialty teas is not simple blending, but a complex, simultaneous and continuous manufacturing process where the flowers and other ingredients are integrated during the processing of the green tea base [10:05].
In terms of health, the teas are championed as powerful wellness aids:
Metabolic & Cardiovascular Health: They help reduce cholesterol, support a healthy heart, and aid in regulating blood sugar levels [10:46].
Antioxidant Power: High antioxidant content, with Mr. Bora providing an unusual but telling test of purity—the immediate “amla-like” taste and a detoxifying effect felt shortly after consumption, indicating the flushing of toxins [11:02].
Mr. Bora is not just a manufacturer; he is an industry leader, serving as the Vice President of the North East Organic Small Tea Grower organization [11:32]. This leadership position underscores his role in promoting organic standards across the region. The company has a global reach, exporting bulk tea to Canada and handling all manufacturing and shipping logistics for both domestic and international bulk orders [11:54].
The Luxurious Weave of Muga and Tussar Silk Handlooms
Assam is the birthplace of several distinct and luxurious silk varieties, and the handloom section provided a feast for textile enthusiasts. Two key stalls, Sukanya Handloom and Jagriti Stall, highlighted the state’s silk artistry.
Sukanya Handloom: The owner, Ms. Munni Gogoi [12:11], focused on Assam’s most prestigious product: Muga Silk [12:19]. Known for its natural golden sheen, Muga is one of the rarest and most expensive silks in the world. The time required to craft this luxury is significant; a single Muga piece takes five days to prepare [12:27]. This intensive labor justifies the high price tag, with Muga silk garments starting at ₹35,000 and reaching up to ₹70,000 [13:17].
The stall also featured:
Padmini Cotton: A versatile fabric often used for traditional garments.
Missing Vermini: A specific, beautiful design style that is entirely handmade and requires around ten days to complete for a single piece, priced at ₹4,500 [13:57].
Jagriti Stall: Monu Kalita [15:21] from the Jagriti stall showcased a broader range of Assamese handloom, including the traditional Mekhela Sador (the Assamese two-piece saree).
Mekhela Sador in Tussar Silk: Another high-quality silk, these traditional sets require six to seven days of handwork and are priced between ₹12,000 and ₹15,000 [15:46].
Variety of Fabrics: The stall offered sarees and dresses in various fabrics, including Cotton, Tussar, and Silk, with starting prices for simpler sarees around ₹1,500 [16:55].
The most famous silks of Assam, as confirmed by the vendor, remain Malwari and Muga [17:17].
Both handloom businesses, though running with small teams and operating primarily from Guwahati and within Assam, are geared up for national and international growth, offering customization and bulk order services to designers and retailers [16:48, 14:55].
A Confluence of Culture and Commerce: Why IITF Matters
The India International Trade Fair 2025 once again proved its mettle as an unparalleled engine for promoting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Hall H-1, specifically, provided a concentrated look at how two culturally rich states—Himachal Pradesh and Assam—are successfully blending tradition with modern market demands.
The fair is not merely an exhibition; it is a platform for cultural preservation and economic empowerment. It connects skilled artisans, who often toil for days on a single piece of fabric or manage fragile bee colonies in remote areas, directly with consumers and B2B buyers from global markets. This direct connection eliminates middlemen, ensuring a fairer price for the producers and allowing the authentic stories of their products to be heard.
From the medicinal promise of Chichdi Honey to the ethical standard of organic Assamese tea and the sheer artistry of Muga Silk, the products from Hall H-1 represent the best of India’s indigenous manufacturing and crafts. They highlight a growing global trend towards sustainability, organic sourcing, and the appreciation of handmade goods over mass-produced alternatives.
For anyone seeking to experience the true art and industry of India, or for businesses looking for high-quality, ethically-sourced products, the Assam and Himachal Pradesh pavilions at IITF 2025 offered an unforgettable lesson in heritage, quality, and entrepreneurship. We encourage everyone to support these small businesses—whether by visiting them online or by seeking out their unique products at the next major trade event.
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