Rigzianplay now house of fun Chhodin, founder of Kang La Basket. Photo: Outlook Rigzian Chhodin, founder of Kang La Basket. Photo: Outlook

In the remote reaches of Miyar valley in Lahual- Spiti situated in Himachal Pradesh's Western Himalayas, 55-year-old Rigzian Chhodin has single-handedly turned seabuckthorn, a resilient berry, into a lifeline for her community. Operating from the rocky and challenging terrain she has built a thriving enterprise around seabuckthorn that flourishes in the region's harsh climate. 

What began as a one-woman home operation, has now transformed into an enterprise employing dozens of local women. In a world driven by mass production and synthetic substitutes, a handful of Himachali artisans are bringing new life into traditional crafts, blending sustainable practices with modern contemporary aesthetics.

The thorny plant requires careful handling and extensive manual labor, making the harvesting process particularly strenuous.  Her entrepreneurial journey began forty years ago at age 15 when she made her first trip to Manali. It was there that she encountered berry jam for the first time, an experience that inspired her to begin her entrepreneurial career. Drawing inspiration from the visit, including the simple yet effective packaging she observed in clear bottles, Chhodin returned home to create something similar with the abundant seabuckthorn growing in her region.

The patient is stable, the sources said, adding "this was the first case of the current strain that led to the World Health Organization declaring Mpox a public health emergency last month for a second time".

Stating that the Bhubaneswar police station incident was very "disturbing", the high court also directed the state government to appraise it (HC) with details as to what measures are going be taken at the police station level in future, so that the dignity and identification of the complainants arriving at the police station are protected.

The venture, now operating under the brand name Kang La Basket—named after the famous Kang La Pass—produces a variety of products including jam, squash, and dried berry powder.  Known for its health benefits, seabuckthorn products have become particularly valuable in her community, where traditional staples like tomatoes are scarce due to the region's challenging climate and limited transportation access.

Her journey to Dilli Haat took five days through steep terrains, stopping at Udaipur in Himachal Pradesh. Despite pressure from her family to marry, Rigzian chose a path on her own terms, calling herself “ mai apne ghar ki ek louti azad putri huin”(I am the only daughter in my house who is truly free). “If I would have been married, I would not have been here,” she said.

In 2019, the UNDP contacted her for her knowledge about the berry and ever since began assisting her with the making and packaging of her products, further amplifying her impact. Rigzian also creates poula, traditional Himachali slippers which has been the choice of footwear for her ancestors as well for the snowy-hilly terrain.

The vibrancy and colour of the various Himachali Stalls range from handcrafted teas to crochet toys and keychains designed with minute details. Curated by Design Consultant Akshita Sharma, a Himachal native, speaking about the importance of such platforms, she states, “It is crucial to have state representation at the Centre level, but equally important for artisans to recognize their value and the worth of their products.”

A few stalls down the lane, Bharat Bhushan sits in his stall surrounded by wool garments hailing from the village of Naggar in Kullu. In charge of marketing for the brand, he speaks to Outlook describing the pandemic project of his brother, and their partner, Brighu Acharya and Nisha Subramaniam. What began as a pandemic project has grown into a global brand featured in Vogue magazine and collaborated with international labels like Amsterdam-based Zazi Vintage and Germany’s Rani & Reine.

The brand works with local women who possess generation-old knitting skills. The small enterprise which started with just 16 women knitting from their homes has transformed into a 400 women operation. Kullvi Whims brought back the use of desi wool, naturally dyed with marigold flowers, pomegranate skins, and other organic materials, creating eco-friendly one of one-of-a-kind designs. Their products, ranging from sweaters priced at ₹5,000-9,000 to intricate wall hangings that cost up to ₹50,000, have gained admiration for their contemporary appeal while preserving traditional techniques.

One such wall hanging, displayed by Bharat, showcases the entire journey of wool—from the shepherd procuring it to dyeing and transportation. The brand has even created custom designs for the luxury label Good Earth. Recently, one of their weavers, Indira Devi, recently won the top prize in the Innovative Craftsmanship category at the State Handloom and Handicrafts Excellence Awards 2025.

Representing Himachal Pradesh’s Buddhist population, Sonam Lama Tamang makes intricate detailed  Thangka paintings. His artwork, priced between ₹500 and ₹3.5 lakh, features motifs meticulously placed according to Buddhist mythology. For Sonam, these paintings are more than decorative—they are spiritual maps, deeply rooted in tradition.

Sonam aims to pass this legacy to his children, ensuring that the Buddhist artistic heritage of Himachal continues to live on. 

The artisans at Himcraft represent the resilience and creativity of Himachal Pradesh’s communities. From sustainable woolens to seabuckthorn products and Thangka paintings7bet gaming or sevenbet, their work is a witness to the richness of their culture and their commitment to preserving it.

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