Hate to Travel for Exotic Art and Craft! How About if Artisans Come to You?
Mangaluru: You are a shopaholic for craft and have majority of the Indian states in your bucket list. But the only thing that holds you back is the thought of travel expense that you have to bear. It is like extra taxes for your small little addiction. Worry no more, because coming March 25th, 2016 artisans and craftsmen from all over India will come over to Mangaluru with the best that they have to offer you.
Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim held a press meet at his office here, on March 22.
Addressing the mediapersons, Handicraft Promotion Officer from the Union Ministry of Textile, Jacob D’Souza said, “Under the Urban Haat Project of Pilikula, Rs 210 lakh has been sanctioned by the Ministry of Textile and an additional Rs 90 lakh from the Department of Industries and Commerce, Govt. of Karnataka. Under this project, a National Craft Bazaar will be organised at Pilikula from March 25 to April 3.”
Ibrahim said, “The purpose of this exhibition is to bring the art of village to the city. Here the artisans will directly sell their craft to the public, completely avoiding middlemen. I hope people in large numbers turn out and take advantage of this exhibition.”
Jacob further said, “This is just the beginning and if this exhibition turns out well, then we will conduct about 10 such exhibitions throughout the year. Artisans from North East, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Delhi, Chennai and other places have been confirmed. Cultural programs will be organized on 25, 26 and 27 March.”
The Pilikula Urban Haat will be inaugurated by Union Minister for Textiles, Parliamentary affairs, Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Santosh Kumar Gangawar and Minister for Large and Medium Scale Industry, Tourism, R V Deshpande.
Infrastructure created in Urban Haat:
a) Forty Stalls
b) Two exhibition Halls
c) Two dormitories
d) Restaurant and
e) Wash facilities
Objectives of Urban Haat Project:
• Providing platform to artisans and craft persons with entrepreneurial skill
• Artisans and craft persons to exhibit, demonstrate and sell their products
• Consumers to buy directly from artisans without middlemen.
Schemes of Ministry of Textiles for promotion of Urban Haat:
A. Craft Bazaar
B. Gandhi Shilpa Bazar
C. Exhibitions
Craft Bazaar sanctioned to Pilikula:
• Invited 125 artisans and craft persons from across India
• Only DCH Card holders to participate
• 60 Artisans already confirmed
Craft Bazaar:
• From 25 March to 31 April 2016
• Time 11am to 8pm
• Savayava Krishika Grahakara Balaga – Swavalambies
• Juice, pappad, light food, organic vegetables, mobile masthsya darshini the sale of fish eatables.
ADC Kumara, MCC Commissioner, Dr HN Gopalkrishna, DIC Joint Director, Gokuldas Nayak and others were also present.
If handicraft sellers of most States and U.T. are going to set up their stalls in Mangalore to showcase and sell their wares, then that is very good.
However, there should be proper bandobast to stop the anti-social elements coming over there and creating a ruckus.