The Footwear Design and Development Institute (FDDI) had the honour of participating in the prestigious National One District One Product (ODOP) Awards 2024, held on 14th July 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
The event was graced by several eminent dignitaries, including the Hon’ble Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, the Hon’ble Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Shri Jitin Prasada, and the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Delhi, Mrs. Rekha Gupta. The inaugural ceremony began with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by the distinguished guests.
While addressing the gathering, Shri Piyush Goyal highlighted the significant contribution of 773 districts across the country to India's development journey. He described India as an "oasis in a desert" amid global economic uncertainty and reaffirmed India’s status as the fastest-growing large economy in the world. He stated that India is on track to become the third-largest economy by 2027, attributing this growth to the collective efforts of the states, the people, and the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
He praised the ODOP initiative as a uniquely Indian concept with no parallel anywhere in the world. Each district, he noted, carries its own rich legacy, and in some cases, even two products have been recognized under the ODOP framework. He emphasized that "local is now going global", underscoring the initiative’s role in taking indigenous products to international markets.
During the ceremony, the dignitaries felicitated the winners of the National ODOP Awards 2024, honouring their contributions to innovation, public service delivery, and economic development. The event also saw the digital launch of the Handbook for the upcoming 3rd edition of the ODOP Awards, along with the release of the ODOP Best Practices Compendium.
FDDI students and staff who attended the event gained invaluable insights into transformative initiatives and best practices that are shaping India's socio-economic development. Their participation reaffirmed FDDI’s commitment to promoting excellence, innovation, and local entrepreneurship in line with national priorities.
