Sculptors from across India showcasing their range of stone, granite and marble ware and idols at Shilpagram at a previous edition of STONA exhibition.
| Photo Credit: special arragement
The country’s bi-annual international stone fair is all set to open its doors to the public in the second week of February, where Indian and international participants will showcase their unique products and creations in natural stone.
STONA 2025, to be hosted at the Bengaluru International Exhibition Centre between February 12 and 15, will witness a range of attractions, including live demonstrations and a display of works by award-winning sculptors from across the country. An interactive seminar on geology on February 13 where “skilling and the use of technology for safe and sustainable mining” will be deliberated upon by industry experts and policymakers.
The four-day exhibition, the third largest stone exhibition in the world after the Italian and Chinese stone fairs, will be spread over an area of 45,000 sq.m., displayed in five halls along with an outdoor area for the exhibits.
STONA 2025 will host 500 exhibitors from across the country and overseas, who will showcase their products and display the latest innovation in machinery, tools, and natural stone. This will include four international pavilions where 18 countries will participate.
Sculptural extravaganza
The exhibition, set to attract thousands of visitors from across the country and the world, is expected to garner a business turnover of ₹1,000 crore, according to Madan Lal Jangid, Chairman, STONA 2025. Besides the display of exquisite stone sculptures of national award-winning sculptors from across the country, there will be a special attraction, ‘Shilpgram’ which promotes rural artisans works, enabling them to display their stone sculptures and artefacts as well as offer live demonstrations.
“STONA 2025 has allotted 25 stalls to the rural artisans who will participate from across the country,” stated Jangid.
Sculptor from across India showcasing their range of stone, granite and marble ware and idols at Shilpagram at a previous edition of STONA exhibition.
| Photo Credit:
special arragement
Ground for interaction
“STONA 2025 is a fertile ground for hosting interactions between industry stakeholders, innovators and natural stone enthusiasts from across the world,” pointed Krishna Prasad, President, Federation of Indian Granite and Stone Industry (FIGSI). “The exhibition also helps to showcase India’s rich natural stone heritage and offers the platform for businesses to connect, collaborate and grow.”
Challenges to be surmounted
While the Indian natural stone industry rules high in terms of its heritage and enviable range, the challenges to the industry are varied and multiple, requiring urgent address. “The industry is facing multiple issues such as shortage of raw materials, regulatory bottlenecks as well as unfair competition from artificial stones”, contended Prasad.
“The industry needs a conducive atmosphere to function and deliver and this calls for solving the specific issues faced along with the implementation of best practices to ensure a level playing field.”
One Nation, One Mineral, One Policy
Given the multiple challenges that the Indian natural stone industry has been facing over the period, the FIGSI has been advocating for many years, key policy changes that include granting quarry leases for 50 years with guaranteed renewals, rationalisation of royalty rates, reduction of GST on the raw blocks and slabs. “What we seek are reforms such as ‘One Nation One Mineral One Policy’ which aid the industry to reach its full potential and contribute significantly to the country’s economic growth”, Prasad added.
Skilling to excel
Shortage of skilled labour has been plaguing the industry for many years and to counter this, FIGSI came up with two state-of-the-art training and skill development centres, one situated in Hosur, Tamil Nadu and the other in Jaipur, Rajasthan. “The idea is to bridge the gap currently prevailing in the availability of skilled manpower and ensure there is a steady supply of skilled professionals to meet the needs of the industry”, added Prasad.
STONA 2025 will be inaugurated on February 12 by Karnataka’s Minister of Mines and Geology and Horticulture S.S. Mallikarjun, and Karnataka’s Minister for Transport and Muzrai Ramalinga Reddy. Also present at the inaugural function will be Rajastan’s Minister of State for Commerce and Industries Krishnan Kumar Vishnoi.
Awards and Honours
The final day of the exhibition, February 15, will witness the presentation of awards and honours to nationally acclaimed sculptors for their spectacular work as well as industry leaders in the area of exports, quarry, machinery and tools. The awards, presented by FIGSI, will be given away by Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka D.K. Shivakumar. Besides the industry awards and lifetime achievement award, this edition of STONA will also present an award to honour the renowned sculptor Arun Yogiraj.
To encourage students to take up the study of geology, FIGSI will also have a special category for meritorious student award in the field of geology.
Published – February 09, 2025 03:59 pm IST