The Union Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, today inaugurated the Crafts Mela (exhibition- cum -sale) at Marine Recreation Club,in Port Blair, Anadaman & Nicobar Islands in the presence of the Lt. Governor, , Lt Gen (Retd) A K Singh, Member of Parliament, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, Chief Secretary, Shri Anand Prakash, Chairperson, Social Welfare Board, Smti. Ratna Kanan, Adhyaksha Zilla Parishad, South Andaman, Ms V.K.Mariam Bibi, PBMC, Chairperson, Shri Arumugam and a host of senior officers from the A&N Administration.
The Minister went round the exhibition, evinced keen interest in products made of cane & bamboo handicrafts, wood crafts, coconut shell crafts, sea-shell crafts, pandanus leaf craft and embroidery etc. displayed at the crafts mela. He also witnessed the live demonstration of wood crafts, sea-shell craft, coconut shell craft and bamboo craft and lauded the talents of the artisans. The chess table & the miniature 3D model of the National Memorial Cellular Jail, made out of carving wood were especially appreciated by the Minister. The two-day crafts mela is being organized by the Andaman& Nicobar Administration, Directorate of Industries with an objective to promote local artisans and give them a platform to showcase their artifacts. So far, the Industries Department has received a total of 92 entries of new designs. Some of the products on display were made during Skill Development Programme.