'Usttad' scheme to be launched from Varanasi

'USTTAD', NDA government's ambitious scheme for minorities aimed at upgrading skills and promotion of artisans, would be launched from Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's constituency on May 14.
The Upgrading Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development (USTTAD) scheme is linked to the 'Make in India' campaign and seeks to help weavers and artisans connect with buyers both nationally as well as internationally, Minority Affairs Minister Najma Heptullah, who would be launching it, said.
"The programme is close to the PM's heart and is a major initiative of our government to promote the skills and works of the craftsmen which have given them and their works household name," she told PTI.

The Prime Minister would, however, be unable to attend the launch as he would be travelling abroad, but his message would be read out at the launch, she said.
Heptullah noted that Varanasi holds a good concentration of weaver community to launch the programme. The rich traditional work of Indian craftsmen mainly from the minority community has given India a unique identity the world-over.
The chikan embroidary work of Lucknow, the zardari work of UP or the famous Kashmiri shawl and carpet works are a set of such examples. Usttad seeks to give a big push to such artforms, making it a true representation to Make in India initiative, she said.

"The younger generation is, however, not inclined to take up such works today. Therefore the PM wants to not only to protect the legacy but also wants to give dignity and improve social conditions," she said.

Referring to the BJP's manifesto which talked about the need for a programme to preserve and modernise traditional crafts of minorities, she said "I have tried to follow on the promises made in the menifesto which is a guideline for me".
Usttad was announced in 2014 and the Finance Ministry has allocated Rs 17 crore for the scheme this year, she said.
A portal dedicated to the programme will be launched simultaneously on May 14, helping artisans log on and get connected to potential buyers world-over.

The National Institute of Design along with a host of other bodies would be associated with the mission and improve designs of the produce if needed, she said.