To provide a better market to traditional craftsmen of Chhattisgarh, Chief Minister Raman Singh inaugurated the mobile 'Shabri Emporium' of Chhattisgarh Handicraft Development Board on Wednesday, on the occasion of lord Jaggannath's Rathyatra Utsav. Expressing joy on the occasion, Dr Singh said that it is the first mobile emporium in the nation, which will display the artifacts of traditional craftsmen of State among the people in various parts of the country. Through this mobile emporium, creative handicraft items of bell-metal, iron art, bamboo art, wooden art, terracotta, etc and also the handloom products manufactured by the weavers of Chhattisgarh will be sold across the nation at reasonable prices. Dr Singh traditionally inaugurated this mobile emporium in a programme at his residence.
Chief Minister said that on this auspicious occasion of lord Jaggannath's 'Rathyatra', Chhattisgarh Handicraft Development Board, an undertaking of Rural Industries Department, has taken a commendable initiative of facilitating the mobile emporium to boost the market of handicraft, in larger interest of traditional craftsmen of Chhattisgarh.
He said that this mobile emporium will take the prosperous handicraft of Chhattisgarh to distant major cities of the country, thereby creating better market for the local craftsmen. Chief Minister suggested the Board Officials to take the mobile emporium to the major fairs of the country, including the one organized during Bastar Dussehra, so that the devotees and tourists from other states and nations can also be aware of the traditional arts and handicrafts of Chhattisgarh. Dr Singh also congratulated Rural Industry Minister Punnulal Mohile, Chairman of Handicraft Development Board Anil Singh Major and other officials and employees concerned for actively executing the action-plan of Mobile Shabri Emporium. On the occasion, Chief Minister also extended greetings for lord Jaggannath Rathyatra Utsav.
Officials told that Handicraft Development Board has made a calendar, as per which this mobile emporium will exhibit the collection of Chhattisgarh's traditional handicraft items, by travelling across various parts of the country including metro cities, for all 12 months a year. Board Chairman Major said that this mobile emporium will help in promoting the traditional handicraft of State.
It is noteworthy that mobile Shabri Emporium is fully air-conditioned. The chassis length of mobile Emporium is nearly 12 meters, which has been divided into three parts. The first part consists of driver's cabin, a berth to sleep, a shelf and a door. In the middle part, room for handicraft exhibition and sale has been created. In this inaugural programme of Shabri Emporium, Rural Industry Minister Punnulal Mohile, Chairman Chhattisgarh Handicraft Development Board Anil Singh Major, Chairman of Raipur Municipal Corporation Sanjay Shrivastav, Principal Secretary Rural Industry Ajay Singh, Managing Director of Chhattisgarh Handicraft Development Board Shirishchandra Agrawal, Managing Director of the board Sunil Awasthi, other senior officials concerned and prominent citizens were also present.