Handicrafts from Tihar to adorn IITF Hunar Haat

Handloom, furniture, spices and confectionery items made by Tihar inmates will be available for the first time at the 'Hunar Haat' being organised by the Ministry of Minority Affairs at India International Trade Fair, Pragati Maidan.

Organised under the 'USTTAD' (Upgrading Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development) scheme, the 'Hunar Hatt' at hall number 7G and 7H of Pragati Maidan, was inaugurated by Union Minister for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Wednesday and would go on till November 27.

During the inauguration, Naqvi said that 'Hunar Haat' is an impressive gathering of master artisans and craftsmen from "Tihar to Tripura, Kashmir to Kanyakumari and Karnataka to Kolkata.

'Hunar Haat' has become a successful mission to provide employment and employment opportunities at national as well international markets for thousands of master artisans, craftsmen and culinary experts.

"While on one hand 'Hunar Haat' has provided a platform to master artisans and craftsmen to display their rich heritage and skill, on the other hand, these exhibitions are providing domestic and international markets for these artisans to showcase their skills," said the minister.

He further added, "This year's 'Hunar Haat' is unique from its previous editions as for the first time, products made by inmates of Delhi's Tihar Jail are also available. These products include handmade furniture, handlooms, handicrafts, bakery items, organic oil, spices and grain."

Naqvi said that these artisans have brought with them very exquisite pieces of handicraft and handloom like Assam's cane, bamboo and jute products; tussar, Geeja, and Matka Silk of Bhagalpur; traditional jewellery, Lac bangles and jewellery from Rajasthan and Telangana; kantha products of West Bengal; brocades of Varanasi; lucknawi chikan work, zari zardozi from UP; shawls, carpets and papier-mache of Kashmir; ajrakh print, mutva, Kutch embroidery and bandhej of Gujarat; khurja ceramic products, clay items, blackstone pottery, dry flowers and traditional handicrafts of North-East; batik/bagh/maheshwari of Madhya Pradesh; leather products, brassware of Moradabad and Gota patti from Rajasthan among much more.

Earlier this Haat was organised at Puducherry and at Baba Khadak Singh Marg in Delhi earlier this year. Next, 'Hunar Haat' will be organised at Mumbai, Kolkata, Lucknow, Bhopal and other places of the country. Naqvi said that the ministry is working to establish 'Hunar Hub' in all states of the country where artisans will be provided training as per the present requirement.

Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs Dr Virendra Kumar, Secretary Minority Affairs Ameising Luikham, Chairman NMDFC Shahbaz Ali, DG Tihar Jail Ajay Kashyap and other senior officials were also present on the occasion.