Due to the outbreak of Coronavirus, ‘Hunar Haat’, an income and employment generating platform providing an opportunity to artisans and craftsmen from across the country to showcase their handmade and indigenous products, would reopen after a gap of five months, from September 25.
Despite the pandemic, a schedule is planned to organise the artisan fair in 25 cities until early next year. This time, Hunar Haat will also use the digital medium to sell products online.
Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the ‘Hunar Haat’ will witness larger participation of artists and craftsmen this year with the theme of “local to global”.
He said ‘Hunar Hat’, which has provided employment and employment opportunities to more than 5 lakh Indian artisans, craftsmen, culinary experts and other people
associated with them in the last 5 years, have become popular among the people.
It provides market and opportunity to master artisans and craftsmen from remote areas of the country and has become a credible brand of rare exquisite indigenous handmade products, said the Minister.
In February this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited Hunar Haat, which was organised at India Gate. He had encouraged and lauded indigenous handmade products of artisans and craftsmen.
The ‘Hunar Hat’ may receive further boost with Prime Minister stressing use of local in a bid to become self-reliant in the wake of global pandemic.
Appreciating the artisans and craftsmen and their products in Mann Ki Baat programme, Prime Minister Modi had said "I witnessed hues of our country's diverse expanse, cultures, traditions, cuisines and the warmth of emotions”
According to the statement issued by Ministry of Minority Affairs, craftsmen have utilised lockdown period to prepare rare indigenous exquisite products at large scale.
They will bring them for display and sale in the next Hunar Haat, which is beginning from September 25.
Social distancing, hygiene, sanitisation and use of masks will be ensured at "Hunar Haat". There will be a special "Jaan Bhi, Jahaan Bhi" (Lives and livelihoods, both) pavilion to create health awareness among the people with the theme of "Say no to panic, yes to precautions".