The fourth Hunar Haat exhibition is being organised by the Ministry of Minority Affairs at India International Trade Fair (IITF) at Pragati Maidan from November 14 to 27. The Union Minister for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi stated that the Hunar Haats have become a successful mission to provide employment and income generation opportunities with platforms for marketing the products of master artisans, craftsmen and culinary experts belonging to the minority communities.
The event is organised under USTTAD (Upgrading the Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development) scheme. It is aimed at preserving and promoting the rich heritage of the traditional arts and crafts of the Minority communities, one of the flagship programmes of the Ministry.
On inspiration behind Hunar Haat, Naqvi said that several traditional arts and crafts were under the threat of vanishing due to various reasons, the Hunar Haats are aimed at reviving and preserving this rich heritage.
The Minister further added that these exhibitions bring both domestic and international markets to the artisans and craftsmen, empowering them with various resources. The National Minority Finance Development Corporation also supports them with financial aid loans et al.
About 130 artisans from 20 States and Union Territories are participating in this Hunar Haat which include about 30 women artisans.
The Minister said that crafts people in thousands are involved in the production of handicrafts on show and for sale in these exhibitions which keeps them employed for several months in a row. This ensures that there is development with dignity for these highly talented and skilled crafts people belonging to the minority communities. Naqvi elaborated that this is true empowerment without appeasement, Samman Ke Saath Sashaktikaran.
The Minister informed that this Hunar Haat exhibition is unique from earlier exhibitions as for the first time products made by inmates of Delhi’s Tihar Jail are also being showcased and sold which gives them a sense of self-dependency and appreciation. These products include furniture, handlooms, handicrafts, bakery items, organic spices and grain.
