Minority communities' artisans to showcase talent at IITF

Artisans belonging to minority communities will showcase their wares and talent at the India International Trade Fair (IITF) this year, Minority Affairs Minister Mukhar Abbas Naqvi said here on Tuesday.

A "Hunar Haat", an exhibition of handicrafts, embroidery etc. being organised by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, will see participation from "every corner of the country", Naqvi said.

"For the first time, these talented artisans/craftsmen from far-flung areas of the country are being provided an opportunity to showcase their skills at national cum international level under one roof," the minister said.

The IITF will be held, as annually, from November 14 to 27 at Pragati Maidan in Delhi, where the artisans will also display their skills of making products live before the people.

Naqvi said the exhibition will include artefacts made by cane and bamboo in northeastern states, cloth and embroidery (chikan) work, brass artefacts, zardozi clothes work in Uttar Pradesh, pottery work from southern states, sandalwood and other wooden artefacts, handicrafts from Bihar and Jharkhand, indigenous goods for domestic use from Bengal-Odisha and herbal products made of aloe vera, neem, tulsi etc.

The exhibition will also display other arts/crafts like marble work from Rajasthan, beautiful handicrafts from Gujarat, Pashmina and bronze work from Kashmir.

The centuries-old Ayurvedic and Unani healthcare, glass artefacts, Indian silk-cotton work will also be a part of the exhibition.

Naqvi said besides providing free of cost stall to artisans, the ministry will make arrangements for their transport and cover their daily expenses.

The minister said he had written to all the states requesting them to send artisans and craftsmen to the exhibition and encourage them to send their applications to National Minority Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC) by October 25.

--IANS

mak-vn/py/vt