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Of crafts and craftsmen

It was an evening which brought together a heady mix of beauty with brains, usually a rarity. Aptly called Apne Desh Ko Jano - know you country, the event centered upon the Indian handicrafts industry and its workings. Hosted at IIT-Delhi, the event mainly aimed at creating awareness among people and popularise Indian handicrafts.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief guest of the show, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Textile, Government of India, Zohra Chatterje said that the huge gathering present on the occasion was a tribute to the 69 lakh artisans of the country who are incessantly toiling hard to come up with the finest products.

'It is also an attempt to keep young generation connected to handicrafts, since not many know that the number of handloom employees and the business was facing a downfall during recent times. But IIT Delhi's support to our initiative will inspire to encourage handicrafts and bring it back succesfully,' she added.

The event further proceeded with an audio-visual shown on Indian artisans across the country and paid a tribute to their toil including the magnificent products they create out of what not.

An initiative by the Ministry of Textiles, Apne Desh Ko Jano witnessed a grand fashion show with models wearing attractive handicrafts artifacts and products sourced from various parts of the country coupled with rounds of quickfire question and answers on them conducted by veteran quiz master Barry O' Brien.

The models sashayed the ramp in three different rounds. Each round focussed on particular handicraft region. The handicraft dresses along with the accessories were designed by Yana Ngoba from Arunachal Pradesh.

There was a special round when they donned dresses from the northeastern states too.
According to Ngoba, the concept is not aimed at drawing a border between technology and craftsmanship but rather trying to blend the two.

'We believe the very purpose of creating awareness of handicrafts through fashion shows only is defeated as the people are not aware of the products they carry and no meaningful information is given. Apart from being visual feast, it does not serve the purpose for which it is done. So, why not we're-create the re-created?,' she said at the event.

Moving on further, the other round had visuals of various handicraft prototypes and artefacts shown from around India and the audience, a mix of students and guests was asked to identify them along with the area they belong to.

Winners were showered with numerous chocolates as gift and also awarded that particular handicraft product.

Finally, the event concluded with a couple of patriotic songs sung by one and all present there to enliven the spirit of unity and bring about oneness in hearts irrespective of the diversity we belong to and ended with a vow to always make our country proud.
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