In the ongoing Mati Kala Fair, the state government has allowed roadside potters to rub shoulders with the best in the trade so that they may get business. For this the government has decided to give stalls to 25 local craftsmen.
“Artisans who are selling their products on roadside have also been invited to participate in the fair and the Mati Kala Board will arrange lodging facilities for them,” Additional Chief Secretary (MSME) Navneet Sehgal said.
It may be mentioned here that the UP Khadi and Village Industries Board (UPKVIB) has organised this fair in an effort to provide a platform to artisans and craftsmen to showcase their skills to the people.
“With a footfall of 1,500 to 2,000 daily in view of the upcoming Deepawali festival, they are also getting good business,” the additional chief secretary said..
This initiative of the Yogi Adityanath government is not only as per Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal of Vocal for Local but is also directly helping craftsmen and artisans on the ground level as the fair is receiving a good response from the public.
During the recent coronavirus induced lockdown, the work of these clay artisans came to a standstill as they were left with no market. The fair has come as a breather to them as it not only offered a platform but also brought smiles on their faces during Deepawali.
As many as 35 craftsmen and artisans from 15 districts, including Gorakhpur, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Azamgarh, Agra, Pratapgarh, Kushinagar, have put up their stalls at the fair and so far, sale of over Rs 8.60 lakh has been registered in the first four days.
Besides clay products like diyas (lamps), utensils, idols of Laxmi and Ganesh, people are also showing interest in the live demonstration of the making of these products.
The fair is going on at the premises of UPKVIB in Dalibagh, Lucknow and will continue till November 13.