Railway Board Promotes New GeM "Aabhar Collection" for Official Gifting
The Ministry of Railways has directed all Indian Railways units to explore and utilize "The Aabhar Collection," a new #VocalForLocal online store launched by the Government e-Marketplace (GeM).
In a communication dated October 21, 2025, the Railway Board circulated a D.O. letter from the CEO of GeM, informing all departments about this new initiative. All railway units are encouraged to visit the store and use its product offerings for forthcoming official events, ceremonies, and functions.
The stated goal is to contribute to "the promotion of social inclusion and encouragement of local artisans and traditional industries".
What is "The Aabhar Collection"?
"The Aabhar Collection" is a new online store on the GeM portal dedicated to showcasing exquisite gift items and hampers. The collection, which currently features over 150 items, is part of GeM's mandate to promote social inclusion.
Products in the collection are select One District One Product (ODOP) and Geographical Indication (GI) items. They are sourced exclusively from:
- Central Cottage Industries Emporium (CCIE)
- Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC)
- Various Central and State Handicraft and Handloom Emporiums
Purpose of the Initiative
According to the letter from GeM's CEO, this initiative aims to achieve several key objectives:
- Promote Indian Heritage: Showcase the country's rich heritage through handlooms, handicrafts, personal care, and artisanal foods.
- Support ODOP: Provide buyers with access to unique items under the One District, One Product (ODOP) initiative.
- Inclusive Development: Support sustainable and inclusive economic development by strengthening market access for artisans, rural entrepreneurs, and women-led enterprises.
- Enable Bulk Procurement: Allow for the bulk-procurement of curated, authentic products suitable for large-scale gifting requirements.
- Official Gifting: The items are intended for gifting at official events, ceremonies, conferences, for foreign delegations, employee recognition, and festive gifting.
Price and Procurement
The gift items and hampers are available in various price ranges to suit different needs:
- Rs. 500 to 1,000
- Rs. 1,001 to 2,000
- Rs. 2,001 to 5,000
- Rs. 5,001 to 10,000
- Rs. 10,001 to 20,000
- Rs. 20,001 to 25,000
These items can be purchased through the various procurement modes available on the GeM portal.
Departments can view the full collection at https://gem.gov.in/Aabhar. An illustrative digital showcase is also available at https://shorturl.at/H0iWH.
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