The ‘GI Man of India’ Padma Shri Dr. Rajni Kant joins DTDC at the launch; DTDC partners with Uttar Pradesh Government to expand digital and market access for ODOP enterprises
1st September 2026: DTDC Express Limited, one of India’s leading multinational integrated logistics companies, today announced the launch of Kaarigo, a dedicated e-commerce platform designed to enable India’s artisans, local sellers, MSMEs and small-town businesses to access wider markets through digital commerce.
Kaarigo brings together digital storefronts, seller enablement and DTDC’s logistics ecosystem to address one of the key barriers faced by grassroots entrepreneurs: access to markets. The platform is designed to support sellers across their digital journey, including onboarding, product cataloguing, online selling and fulfilment, while connecting them with DTDC’s extensive logistics network. With access to 96% of India’s population through 16,500+ physical touchpoints and 220+ global destinations, DTDC provides the infrastructure to help local businesses extend their reach beyond their immediate markets.
As part of this commitment, DTDC aims to onboard 1,000 artisans onto Kaarigo over the next 12 months, creating a stronger digital pathway for India’s grassroots businesses to access wider markets and grow. The platform has been conceived with the realities of first-time digital sellers in mind, with a focus on simplifying digital adoption and guiding sellers across key aspects of online commerce. Kaarigo will also offer dedicated seller support packages covering areas such as registration, product photography, digital storefront creation and international listing support, with advanced solutions available for businesses looking to scale.
The launch also marks the beginning of a broader effort to strengthen India’s artisan and traditional enterprise ecosystem. Padma Shri Dr. Rajni Kant, widely recognized as the “GI Man of India” for his landmark work in securing Geographical Indication recognition for indigenous crafts, joined DTDC leadership for a special conversation on the role of digital commerce in creating sustainable opportunities for India’s artisans.
Speaking on the occasion, Padma Shri Dr. Rajni Kant, Founder, Human Welfare Association and popularly known as ‘GI Man of India’, said, “Initiatives like Kaarigo are playing an important role through Atmanirbhar Bharat as Local to Global in giving India’s artisans, weavers and producers appropriate market access and connecting their products with consumers beyond their immediate geographies as GI tag products. By supporting the craft community in embracing newer designs and traditional techniques while staying true to the authenticity of their craft, such initiatives foster sustainable entrepreneurship and open doors to National and Global markets. Through Kaarigo, DTDC is facilitating the taking of India’s traditional products to the world while safeguarding this rich cultural legacy for generations to come.”
As an extension of this vision, DTDC has also entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Directorate of Industries & Enterprise Promotion, Government of Uttar Pradesh, to support stakeholders under the state’s One District One Product (ODOP) programme. The collaboration will enable participating artisans, weavers, craftsmen, MSMEs, Producer Organizations and Self-Help Groups to explore digital commerce through seller onboarding, product cataloguing, market linkages, fulfilment and logistics support.
A key component of the collaboration will be a “Phygital Market Access” pilot that brings together digital and physical commerce. DTDC’s retail touchpoints in Lucknow, Gorakhpur and Varanasi will explore curated showcases and commerce activations for ODOP products, with the potential to expand the model through DTDC’s wider retail and channel partner network.
The initiative will also focus on strengthening the digital readiness of ODOP stakeholders through awareness programmes, seller onboarding drives, training and capacity-building initiatives covering e-commerce, digital marketing, product cataloguing, marketplace operations and logistics management.
Sharing his thoughts on the occasion, Mr. Subhasish Chakraborty, Chairman & Managing Director, DTDC, expressed, “India’s economic strength is deeply rooted in its local enterprises, artisans and communities. But for these businesses to realise their full potential, they need access to markets beyond their immediate geography. Kaarigo is our effort to bridge that gap by bringing together technology, e-commerce and the reach of our logistics network. We want to make it easier for small businesses and artisans to take their products to customers across the country and, eventually, the world. From local enterprise to national opportunity, Kaarigo is about helping businesses overcome the limitations of geography and build a pathway to sustainable growth.”
Commenting on the launch, Mr. Abhishek Chakraborty, CEO, DTDC Express Limited, states, “Kaarigo is founded on a straightforward principle that a business’s size should not limit its opportunities. We are bringing our logistics expertise into the digital commerce journey to make it easier for local sellers to discover customers, build their businesses and scale beyond their immediate markets. The ODOP collaboration is a natural extension of this vision, allowing us to take this approach deeper into India’s artisan and small-business ecosystem.”
For DTDC, Kaarigo represents an expansion of its role in the commerce ecosystem, from enabling the movement of goods to helping enable the movement of businesses into new markets. By combining digital access, seller enablement and logistics, the initiative aims to create a more inclusive pathway for India’s grassroots entrepreneurs to participate in the country’s rapidly evolving digital economy.
