New Delhi, Jan 20 (UNI) Union Minority Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Sunday called Hunar Haat a source of “empowerment and employment exchange” for artisans and craftsmen and said they are ensuring that indigenous talent develops with dignity.
Mr Naqvi said more than two lakh artisans, craftsmen and culinary experts have been provided jobs and employment opportunities through 11 Hunar Haats, organised across the country during past two years.
Addressing mediapersons after the conclusion of “Hunar Haat” here, Mr Naqvi said: “The Hunar Haat has ensured development with dignity of artisans and craftsmen of the country. India is full of heritage of master artisans. Programmes such as “Hunar Haat” are playing an important role in national and international branding of this heritage.”
He said that the Modi government has constructed the highway of development by removing the speed breaker of religion, region and caste. "Hunar Haat is a part of this highway where the vehicle of empowerment of artisans is moving forward,” he added.
He said the employment-oriented programmes of the Modi government like “Hunar Haat” have significantly encouraged and promoted the rich traditional heritage of master artisans which had been marginalised for a long time.
Hunar Haat, he said, has become a credible brand to fulfill Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to realise Make in India, Stand up India and Start up India. They have become a credible and renowned brand where exquisite handicraft and handlooms, made by master artisans and various delicacies, are available under one roof.
Mr Naqvi said Hunar Haat at Baba Kharak Singh Marg in New Delhi was a hit as lakhs of visitors from India and abroad visited it and encouraged artisans, craftsmen and culinary experts by purchasing on the large-scale their indigenous handmade products. Artisans have also received national and international orders worth lakhs.
Approximately 13 lakh visitors came to the Hunar Haat at Baba Kharak Singh Marg in New Delhi.
The Minister said on one hand, the visitors enjoyed traditional delicacies from different parts of the country, on the other, qawwali sufi songs, traditional dance performance and other cultural programmes were a major attraction as well.
Earlier, Hunar Haat had been organised at Allahabad, Pragati Maidan and Baba Kharak Singh Marg in New Delhi, Puducherry and Mumbai.
UNI SW SNU 1813