More than 70 artisans
from various parts of the country are participating in a 15-day
‘Interactive Workshop-cum-Exhibition of Handicrafts’ at Vishwakarma
Vatika, Green Field, Aravali Hills, Faridabad (Haryana). The
exhibition which is open for public from March 3 to 16, 2003,
being organised by Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC)
under the Ministry of Agro and Rural Industries. This exhibition
is first of its kind where artisans are not only displaying
their hand-made products but also demonstrating their skills
of crafting and designing. During this period, artisans from
Orrisa, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and
Delhi are participating in an interactive workshop to share
their skills and new techniques of creativity of handicrafts
with each other. Master Craftsmen will also impart the artisans
on the spot training during this period. Main attraction of
the exhibition is the on the spot unique creative art work of
stone-carving being done by 34 artisans for Konark Surya Temple,
besides attractive products made of bamboo and cane, wooden-carving,
hand-made paper, pottaries and other Khadi products.
Inaugurating
the Exhibition, ‘Gramodya Shilpi Sangam and Interactive Workshop’,
the Minister of Agro and Rural Industries, Shri Sangh Priya
Gautam said that such exhibitions and workshops will help boost
the rural industrialisation, preservation of traditional art
and activity and production of eco-friendly consumer goods.
He said that artisans, who are equipped with God-gifted skill
of art and creativeness, do not need big technology for their
work. However, they can be encouraged by providing them necessary
assistance like availability of low cost raw material, financing,
marketing etc.
