Tribal students from insurgency-infested Narayanpur district of Bastar are now getting a feel of selling handicrafts in an organised retain format in a Mall in Raipur.
Chief Minister Raman Singh on Monday visited the bamboo handicraft exhibition cum sale put up by Naxal-affected tribal students of Narayanpur district at Magneto Mall in Raipur.
Notably, the Chhattisgarh Handicrafts Development Board sold craft items worth `3.07 crores during 2014-15, officials here stated.
The proceeds from sale includes items worth `2.25 crore sold from Shabari Emporiums within and outside Chhattisgarh.
In the current financial year, a target of selling `4 crore worth of handicrafts had been fixed by the Board. There are about 20,000 artisans currently engaged in making of various handicrafts in the State.
The Board has targetted to train 1500 bamboo craftsmen this year.
Singh during his visit to Magneto Mall showered praises on the students for finesse of their artifacts.
The Chief Minister himself bought a number of handicraft items from the students .
Chhattisgarh Assembly Speaker Gaurishankar Agrawal was also present on the occasion.
It is noteworthy that these tribal students have put up bamboo handicraft exhibition at ground floor of this Mall from August 14 to 21.
In only first three days of the exhibition, products worth nearly `25,000 have been sold.
CEO of Narayanpur District Panchayat said that under BRGF scheme, these youths have been provided training by special trainers from Assam, who taught them the skill to make jewellery and other daily-use goods from bamboo.
These youngsters are pursuing training in livelihood College, along with their school and college education.
Cooperative committee was formed and registered at Cooperatives Department.
Committee Chairman Bhavani Pradhan told that this exhibition cum sale has turned out to be quite profitable.
The handicraft makers in insurgency infested Bastar region are now also being trained how to market their products.
The initiative had been taken by Chhattisgarh Handicraft Development Board, officials stated
In March this year, atleast 60 artisans from various districts of Bastar division participated in a two-day workshop on Marketing organised by Chhattisgarh Handicraft Development Board here recently.
The artisans were from Jagdalpur, Parchanpaan, Kondagaon, Chilkuti, Deurgaon, who took part in the workshop.
During the workshop, the artisans were told about where to sell their products and from where they could source the raw material for making the handicraft.
The workshop was organised by the Office of Commissioner, Chhattisgarh Handicraft Development Board.
Notably, in the month of November last year, women entrepreneurs from Bastar and other remote regions of Chhattisgarh who had set up their stalls displaying handicrafts and handlooms in the Chhattisgarh pavilion at 34th India International Trade Fair at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi had received huge response for their products from foreign visitors , officials informed.
The fortnight-long fair, which ended on November 27 last year was based on the theme ‘Women Entrepreneur’. The fair was open for traders and businessmen for first five days.
During the business days, many tourists from foreign countries such as Pakistan and Afghanistan visited the pavilion, inquired about the ‘Dhokra art’ of Chhattisgarh and showed interest in buying the handicrafts on wholesale.
It may be mentioned here that the Self-help Groups (SHGs) from various districts in Chhattisgarh had showcased their handicrafts in 19 stalls inside the pavilion of Chhattisgarh State at the fair.
The pavilion at Hall No. 2 apart from showcasing natural and mineral resources of the State, also had a wide range of handloom and dress materials on display to lure women visitors, they stated.
At the entrance of the hall, weavers working on table looms give the visitors an idea of how handlooms were eaved.
The centre of the Chhattisgarh pavilion displayed bamboo, jute and bell metal works prepared by women.
Moreover, bamboo craft of Chhattisgarh had become a major draw in the ongoing India International Trade Fair in New Delhi, officials stated.
The attractive purse, file covers, bags, wall hangings, baskets and pen-stand displayed in the stalls attracted domestic as well as foreign visitors and buyers, officials said.
The bamboo craft is a unique representation of the centuries old tradition of tribal Chhattisgarh women. The bamboo craft is a tough work right from collection of bamboo to transforming it into beautiful artwork.
The cleaning of raw bamboo is a real challenge for the artists as bamboo contains hidden worms.
The State Government has provided a platform to the artists to showcase their talent at the fair. The craft made by women entrepreneurs were promoted through bamboo craft. The bamboo mission was started in Bastar in 2006-07 and bamboo farming was promoted through this.
The tribals were provided better employment opportunities through their traditional craftsmanship.
The artisans of Chhattisgarh’s famed bamboo craft items were made to participate in Dilli Haat and the prominent trade fairs held in the national capital for better marketing and sale of their products.
Through the Bamboo Craft Project, talented artisans of the area received self-employment after being imparted proper training and other necessary assistance to them, officials stated.