Kolkata: Work is on in full swing to set up 'Madur Hubs' in East and
West Midnapore. The hub will house training centre for craftsmen where modern techniques will be taught to sell mats (Madur) in the international market.
It may be recalled that after coming to power in 2011, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee undertook schemes to revive the traditional products of Bengal like Muslin, Madur and Masks of North Bengal and Purulia.
Many traditional craftsmen who had left the profession because of financial constraints have again come back and are involved in the production of mats. Two institutions in East and West Midnapore have received Craft Mark, which is a symbol of creativity in national and international market.
West Bengal Khadi and Village Industries Board had published Madur Barta giving various information and the success story of the craftsmen. Madur is eco-friendly and its demand is on the rise globally. It is used for room decoration purposes in many European and African countries and the USA. The craftsmen are being invited to attend international fairs in different countries.
Gourirani Jana, a craftswoman from Balichowk in west Midnapore, recently visited Kyrgyzstan to sell Masland Madur. Natural colours are being used to make the mats look more attractive. Arun Khatua, a craftsman from Pingla in West Midnapore, had sold mats worth Rs 3 lakh in the International Trade Fair, held in New Delhi.
Madur was called Masland during the time of Nawabs.
Madur has received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2018, giving it an international recognition.
Senior officials of West Bengal Khadi and Village Industries Board said it will establish the Madur manufacturing on a solid foundation. Craftsmen producing mats take part in fairs on a regular basis and the products have earned accolades in the country and abroad in the past few years, they maintained.