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India has seen a long and rich history of handicrafts. Years and years of evolution and refinement have made it possible for India to retain a coveted spot in the handicrafts landscape of the world. Where the ancients were exemplary in their craft the contemporary craftsmen are adept in using the knowledge of the ancients by adding modem craft techniques to them. They have carefully preserved this age - old art that represents dignity style and beauty of the Indian culture.

Voyaging through the lanes of Indian handicrafts is a tempestuous affair. There are seen striking ups and downs throughout the late 2000s had a grave impact on handicrafts industry.

Despite the growth of handicraft industry in India and the measures taken by the government to promote handicrafts the average earning of a craftsman when compared to that of other fields is very low. Hence the younger generation is moving to other fields with only the elder craftsmen being left behind. The country needs younger generation of craftsmen to carry on the tradition of handicrafts and this is only possible by ensuring the assistance of craftsmen to improve their techniques availability of quality raw materials direct marketing channels credit and better wages and providing them with socio-economic benefits.

Source: The statesman.com Nov. 1, 2018

To preserve handicrafts industry and to promote it the country should encourage younger generation of craftsmen helping them with:

A) availability of quality raw materials

B) better wages

C) direct marketing channels

D) All of the above