Belagavi man who humbled Prada with Kolhapuri chappal passes away
G. N. Gopikrishna, a prominent social worker and former Oxfam India head, has passed away at age 75. He was known for his work in rural development, supporting artisans, and modernizing the branding of Indian handloom and khadi products.
Why it matters
Gopikrishna's legacy represents a significant contribution to the empowerment of rural Indian artisans and the global promotion of traditional handicrafts.
G. N. Gopikrishna, a social worker hailing from Belagavi, passed away on September 20 at Lakshmeshwar in Gadag district of Karnataka. He was 75 years old.
Originally from Ballari, Mr. Gopikrishna completed his primary education in various cities, including Belagavi. He obtained a master’s degree in Rural Development and Social Work from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) in Mumbai.
He served as the head of the Indian division of the service organisation Oxfam. He consistently provided financial assistance and training support to countless artisans, service organisations, and women’s groups across India. After retirement, he settled down in Belagavi.
He served as a board member for the company Fabindia and various organisations in the khadi sector. He played a pivotal role in providing branding and modern design to khadi, handloom, and handicraft products from various States, thereby enabling producers to expand their markets both within India and abroad.
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