The Ministry of Minority Affairs is going to organise an exhibition of handicrafts, embroidery etc made by the artisans from the Minority Communities at the India International Trade Fair. This was disclosed by the Minister of State for Minority Affairs (Independent Charge) and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi here today. The exhibition “Hunar Haat” (Skill Haat), will be an amazing gathering of artisans from every corner of the country. It will be for the first time that these talented artisans/craftsmen from far-flung areas of the country are being provided an opportunity to showcase their skills at national-international level under one roof. India International Trade Fair (IITF), is being organised from 14th November, 2016 at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi.The Minister said that one of the special feature of this unique “Hunar Haat” is that besides providing free of cost stall to artisans/craftsmen, the Minority Affairs Ministry will also make arrangements for their transport and will help in their daily expenses so that these expert artisans can reach to Delhi easily and display their arts/skills at the international platform in the form of International Trade Fair.
Shri Naqvi said that the exhibition will include artefacts made by cane and bamboo in North eastern states; cloth work and embroidery (chikan) work, brass artefacts, Jardoji clothes work of Uttar Pradesh; collection of pottery work of Southern states; sandalwood and other wooden artefacts; handicrafts from Bihar-Jharkhand; indigenous goods for domestic use from Bengal-Odisha and herbal products made from aloe vera, neem, tulsi etc. The exhibition at “Hunar Haat” will also display other arts/crafts like marble work from Rajasthan; beautiful handicrafts from Gujarat; Pashmina and bronze work from Kashmir. Besides, centuries old Ayurvedic, Unani health care; glass artefacts; Indian silk-cotton work will also be a part of the exhibition. The artisans will also display their skills of making products live before the people at the Trade Fair.Shri Naqvi said that he has written to Chief Ministers of all the states requesting them to direct the concerned Department of their respective states to make aware talented artisans and craft persons about this exhibition and encourage them to send their applications to National Minority Development & Finance Corporation (NMDFC) latest by 25th October, 2016.NMDFC on behalf of the Ministry of Minority Affairs will be participating in the India International Trade Fair under the banner of USTTAD (Upgrading the Skills and Training in Traditional Arts Crafts for Development) scheme.