New Delhi (NVI): After a gap of six months due to COVID-19 pandemic, “Hunar Haat”, a crafts fair organised by Ministry of Minority Affairs, will restart from October 9 with the theme of “Local to Global”.
Union Minister for Minority Affairs, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi today said that every corner of the country has a traditional and ancestral legacy of indigenous toys made with wood, brass, bamboo, glass, cloth, paper, clay etc. “Hunar Haat will be an enormous platform providing market and opportunities to master artisans who prepare these indigenous exquisite toys,” he added.
“This legacy, which was on the verge of extinction, has got a boon after Prime Minister Narendra Modi pitched for “Swadeshi Toys”. The Indian toy industry has got tremendous boost after the call for Vocal for Local Toys,” the minister said in a statement.
However, the appeal to get vocal for local toys will help the Indian toy industry to again get its dominance in the toy market, Naqvi said, adding that, “Hunar Haat”, which will restart from October 9, will be organised with the theme of “Local to Global”.
The next “Hunar Haat” will be organised at Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh from October 9 to 18. More than 30 per cent stalls will be for artisans who prepare indigenous toys, they will also be extended help through various institutions for attractive packaging of swadeshi toys, he added.
Naqvi further said that Hunar Haat, which has provided employment and employment opportunities to more than 5 lakh Indian artisans, craftsmen, culinary experts and other people associated with them in the last 5 years, have become popular among the people.
“It also provides market and opportunity to master artisans and craftsmen from remote areas of the country and has become a credible brand of rare exquisite indigenous handmade products,” he added.
So far, the Minority Affairs Ministry has organised more than 2 dozen Hunar Haat across the country where lakhs of artisans, craftsmen have been provided employment and employment opportunities.
In the coming days, Hunar Haat will be organised at Jaipur, Chandigarh, Indore, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Lucknow, India Gate, New Delhi, Ranchi, Kota, Surat/Ahmedabad and other places.
Naqvi also stated, this time, people will also be able to buy Hunar Haat products digital and online also. The ministry is registering these artisans and their indigenous products on GeM (Government e Marketplace).
In addition to this, several export promotion councils have also shown interest to provide international markets at large scale for handmade indigenous products of these artisans and craftsmen, he added in a statement.
