Handicraft exhibition provides job opportunities to Jorhat artisans

Local artisans and craftsmen are participating in an annual handicrafts exhibition in Jorhat, Assam, and are also able to sell their products to customers directly.

Traditional attires woven by indigenous tribal women, various cane and bamboo products, hand-made flowers, decorative items, showpieces, clay and wood idols and Muga (Silk) products are on display at the exhibition.

Apart from being a fascinating bazaar for customers, the exhibition, which has been organised by a non-government organisation, is turning out to be a source of employment and a platform for many skillful rural craftsmen, weavers and artists from all over the state.

"Our organisation helps people who make hand-made products. We help them to sell their craftworks to the people," said Rajib Saikia, one of the organisers of the event.

The main objective of the exhibition was to promote handicraft and handloom in the state and to encourage the small-scale entrepreneurs in setting up various ventures.

"We have a stall of handmade products in the exhibition. We come to sell our products here and to support our households," said Nanda Sahoo, a participant.

This year, 35 stalls have been set up at the exhibition.

Initially, there were not many customers at the exhibition because of rains, but later, the turnout was much more.

The handicraft and handloom products are an essential part of the Indian markets. Before globalisation, hand-made goods were popular amongst people. Sale of such products keeps thousands of rural workers employed

But, for the past few years the popularity of hand-made products had declined, rendering a lot of the artisans jobless.

The government and various organisations have taken an initiative to revive traditional products.

Many big brands use the services of these small-scale workers for the production of clothes, soaps, jewellery and footwear.

The exhibition began on June 20 and ends on June 30.