27th “Hunar Haat” inaugurated at Lal Parade Ground, Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh)
New Delhi: The 27th “Hunar Haat” of indigenous products of artisans and craftsmen from across the country was today inaugurated by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan at Lal Parade Ground in Bhopal in the august presence of Union Minister for Minority Affairs Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi.
Madhya Pradesh Minister for Medical Education Shri Vishvas Sarang; Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Science and Technology Shri Omprakash Sakhlecha graced the occasion as Guests of Honour. Secretary, Union Minority Affairs Ministry Shri P. K. Das and other senior officials; senior officials from the State Government and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.
On the occasion, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that “Hunar (skill) is worship”. Bhopal is also a city of “Hunar” and it gives values to the talent. Artisans and craftsmen from all religions and sections of the society participate in the “Hunar Haat”.
Shri Chouhan said that Shri Naqvi has made the commitment to “Vocal for Local” a ground reality. “Hunar Haat” has increased significantly the sale of indigenous products of artisans, craftsmen. “Hunar Haat” is an effective platform of artisans and craftsmen. I appeal to the people of Madhya Pradesh to visit “Hunar Haat” to witness glimpse of India’s art and culture.
Shri Chouhan said that the artisans and craftsmen continued their work even during the Corona pandemic. The talent from the entire country gathers at one place at “Hunar Haat”. “Hunar Haat” is a credible brand of “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” and “Vocal for Local”. The Madhya Pradesh Government along with the Union Minority Affairs Ministry will work towards promotion of indigenous legacy of artisans and craftsmen.
Shri Chouhan lauded Shri Naqvi for different development projects being run by the Union Minority Affairs Ministry in Madhya Pradesh. He visited stalls of artisans and craftsmen and encouraged their indigenous handmade products.
The Union Minority Affairs Ministry is organising the 27th “Hunar Haat” at Lal Parade Ground, Bhopal with the theme of “Vocal for Local” from 12th to 21st March, 2021. More than 600 artisans, craftsmen from more than 31 States/UTs are participating in the “Hunar Haat” in Bhopal.
Artisans from Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu-Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Odisha, Puducherry, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal etc have brought rare elegant and magnificent indigenous handmade products for sale and display.
Ajrakh print, Applique work, art metal ware, artificial jewellery, Bagh print, Bandhej, Black pottery, block print, jute-bamboo products, brass products, Chikankari, Khadi products, leather products, clay-wooden-metal toys, marble products, Sandalwood products etc are available at “Hunar Haat” in Bhopal. The visitors are also enjoying traditional foods from every corner of the country. Renowned artists such as Shri Sudesh Bhonsle, Nooran Sisters, Shri Altaf Raja, Mrs Shibani Kashyap, Nizami Brothers etc will enthral the audience with their musical programmes.
Shri Naqvi said that the “Hunar Haat” have proved to be “Employment and Empowerment Exchange” of artisans and craftsmen. The “Hunar Haat” have provided employment and employment opportunities to more than 5 lakh 50,000 artisans, craftsmen and artists yet. The Union Ministry of Minority Affairs will provide employment and employment opportunities to 7 lakh 50,000 artisans and craftsmen through 75 “Hunar Haat” which will be organised by completion of 75 years of the country’s independence.
Shri Naqvi said that the “Hunar Haat” is available on virtual and online platform http://hunarhaat.org and on GeM Portal also where the people of the country and abroad can buy products of indigenous artisans and craftsmen digital/online.
Next “Hunar Haat” will be organised in Goa (26 March to 04 April); Dehradun (9 April to 18 April); Surat (23 April to 2 May). Besides, the “Hunar Haat” will also be organised at Kota; Hyderabad; Mumbai; Jaipur; Patna; Prayagraj; Ranchi; Gauhati; Bhubaneshwar; Jammu-Kashmir etc this year.