“Hunar Haat”, An Effective Mission Ensuring Common People Becoming A Part Of Mainstream Economic Development Says Arjun Munda

Union Minister for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi today said in Ranchi (Jharkhand) that the Modi Government has been working to provide international markets to India’s magnificent indigenous handmade art/crafts.

Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Arjun Munda and Naqvi were inaugurating “Hunar Haat” at Harmu Ground, Harmu Chowk in Ranchi (Jharkhand). This “Hunar Haat” is being organised by Union Minority Affairs Ministry from 29th February to 08th March, 2020. This is for the first time that “Hunar Haat” is being organised in Jharkhand. This is the 21st “Hunar Haat” of the Union Minority Affairs Ministry.

Arjun Munda said that the Tribal Affairs Ministry and Minority Affairs Ministry are working in coordination to provide international market, opportunities and recognition to India’s traditional art/crafts. “Hunar Haat” is an effective mission which has been ensuring that the common people become a part of mainstream economic development.

Arjun Munda said that “Hunar Haat” has been providing market and opportunity to India’s indigenous legacy of handmade art/crafts. “Hunar Haat” has proved to be magnificent platform to understand India’s rich cultural heritage under one roof.

Naqvi said that while on one hand, “Hunar Haat” has ensured “Kaushal Ko Kaam”, on the other hand it has given international recognition to legacy of Indian art/crafts.

Naqvi said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to “Hunar Haat” at India Gate Lawns, Rajpath, New Delhi, organised from 13 to 23 February 2020, has given tremendous boost and encouragement to artisans, craftsmen especially women artisans from across the country.

On 23rd February, in “Mann Ki Baat”, Prime Minister appreciated “Hunar Haat” and artisans, craftsmen and their exquisite indigenous handmade products. By mentioning about “Hunar Haat” in “Mann Ki Baat”, the Prime Minister has reiterated our Government’s commitment to promote and encourage the magnificent legacy of our indigenous arts/crafts.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s one-hour long visit at “Hunar Haat” gave a tremendous encouragement and publicity to “Hunar Haat” as the number of visitors increased by more than 60 per cent after Modi's visit. More than 17 lakh visitors, both domestic and international, visited “Hunar Haat” at India Gate Lawns, Rajpath. The visitors encouraged the artisans, craftsmen and also enjoyed traditional delicacies of various states at “Bawarchikhana” section at “Hunar Haat”.

Naqvi said that 125 stalls have been set up at “Hunar Haat” in Ranchi where more than 250 artisans and craftsmen including women artisans from across the country are participating. Artisans have brought with them rare exquisite handmade indigenous products from every corner of the country. Visitors will also enjoy traditional delicacies of various states and cultural programmes, to be held daily.

The Minority Affairs Minister said that more than 3 lakh artisans, craftsmen, culinary experts and people associated with them including a large number of women artisans have been provided employment and employment opportunities through “Hunar Haat” in the last 3 years.

He said that Union Minority Affairs Ministry has started process to register these artisans and their indigenous products on “GeM” (Government e Marketplace). Several export promotion councils have shown interest to provide international markets at large scale for handmade indigenous products of these artisans and craftsmen. Indian Packaging Institute has been providing training to artisans to improve their methods of packaging and to make it more attractive.

The next “Hunar Haat” will be organized in Chandigarh from 13th to 22nd March, 2020. In the coming days, “Hunar Haat” will be organized in Gurugram, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Dehradun, Patna, Bhopal, Nagpur, Raipur, Puducherry, Amritsar, Jammu, Shimla, Goa, Kochi, Guwahati, Bhubneshwar, Ajmer and other places. So far, “Hunar Haat” have been organized at various places in the country such as Delhi, Mumbai, Prayagraj, Lucknow, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Puducherry and Indore.

On the occasion, women artisans, who have come to “Hunar Haat” in Ranchi from across the country, were felicitated.  Uttar Pradesh Minister Suresh Khanna; Member of Parliament from Ranchi Shri Sanjay Seth; former Jharkhand Govt. Minister & MLA from Ranchi, C P Singh and other dignitaries were also present.