Gandhinagar, September 30
SAPTI (Stone Artisan Park Training Institute), established by the Industries and Mining Department and the Office of Commissioner of Geology and Mining, Government of Gujarat, Gandhinagar, harness the potential of the state's stone industry and carry forward its valuable heritage of stone art and architecture, according to release of the State government.
Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi', the aim of SAPTI is to optimise the potential of Gujarat's stone industry and build on its rich heritage of stone art and architecture. The State has set up two artisan parks - one in Ambaji (Banaskatha District) and the other in Dhrangadhra. SAPTI-Ambaji in North Gujarat focuses on marble, while SAPTI-Dhrangadhra (Surendranagar district) in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat focuses on sandstone.
The Stone Artisan Park Training Institute (SAPTI) has enrolled a total of 945 candidates across both its centres between 2022 and 2025. As of 30th August 2025, a total of 307 candidates have successfully graduated from the Ambaji centre. Similarly, at the Dhrangadhra centre, 331 candidates have successfully passed out.
Kuldipsinh Pravinsinh Rathod, a young student from Ambaji, enrolled in the Stone Craft & Design course at SAPTI Ambaji after completing his 10th standard. Coming from a humble background, with his parents and two brothers, his family managed on a monthly income of just ₹22,000. Despite these challenges, Kuldipsinh held a clear dream of building a better future.
At the beginning of the training, he found it difficult to adapt to advanced design methods and stone-carving techniques. But through continuous practice, guidance from expert faculty at SAPTI, and strong willpower, he improved his craft.
Through this journey, Kuldipsinh not only became an expert stone artisan and skilled lathe machine operator, but also gained the confidence to start his own stone-selling business. Today, he individually earns around ₹25,000 per month, bringing financial stability and pride to his family. Looking ahead, Kuldipsinh dreams of expanding his business into a stone craft studio, blending creativity, traditional artistry, and modern design. He believes: "Hard work and dedication can turn even the toughest challenges into opportunities." Recently, Ekta Shilpa, the seventh symposium organised by SAPTI was held from 20 July to 8 August 2024 at the Statue of Unity, Ekta Nagar, Kevadiya. Twenty-four sculptors from across India created marble sculptures from various kinds of stone, assisted by 48 carvers and a blacksmith.
The Sculptures, centred on themes of Unity, Nature, and Water, highlighted both traditional and contemporary stone art. PM Modi dedicated 16 of the sculptures carved during the Ekta Shilpa Symposium to the public. This symposium not only reinforced SAPTI's position as a centre of stone sculpture but also generated greater awareness and appreciation of India's stone artistry. SAPTI aims to preserve and strengthen the country's stone craft traditions by promoting skill development, fostering education, encouraging innovation, and entrepreneurship. This initiative will play a key role in the upcoming Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference for North Gujarat (Mehsana) is scheduled on 9- 10 October. On the 1st day of this event, a workshop by the Labour, Skill Development and Employment Department will also be included.
— ANI
Reader Comments
As someone from Gujarat, I'm proud to see our state leading in skill development. The focus on both marble and sandstone shows good planning - Ambaji marble is famous worldwide. Hope they expand to other districts too.
Impressive numbers - 945 candidates enrolled and 638 graduated already! The Ekta Shilpa symposium at Statue of Unity is a brilliant platform to showcase talent. India's ancient stone carving traditions deserve this kind of institutional support.
While the initiative is good, I hope they're also focusing on market linkages for these artisans. Training is one thing, but sustainable income requires proper market access and fair pricing for their artwork.
The blend of traditional artistry with modern design is exactly what our handicrafts sector needs. Kuldipsinh earning ₹25,000 monthly shows how skill development can transform lives. More power to such programs! 💪
Great to see our rich heritage being preserved and promoted. The sculptures at Statue of Unity will become tourist attractions themselves. Hope they include digital marketing skills too - artisans need to reach global customers online.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.