Acharya Devvrat, Governor of Gujarat, explained how Hunar Haat is playing a pivotal role in protection and promotion of thousands years’ old ancestral legacy of arts and craftsmanship of the country.
In his address after inaugurating the 34th Hunar Haat at Vanita Vishram Parisar, Surat, Devvrat said that the artisans and craftsmen of the Hunar Haat have revived the country's heritage of art and skill. They have increased India's prestige and pride.
Devvrat mentioned that the Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken several significant steps to protect and promote the ancestral legacy of arts and craftsmanship of our country which was on the verge of extinction. The Hunar Haat has proved to be an effective platform in this regard. The Hunar Haat has strengthened the campaign of ‘Vocal for Local’.
The Hunar Haat is not only honouring the ancestral legacy of India but is also providing employment opportunities to lakhs of artisans and craftsmen from across the country.
He added that ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’ is displayed at Hunar Haat in true sense. Since the ancient times, India had been known as the 'Sone Ki Chidiya' (Golden Bird) due to its abundance of arts, craftsmanship, culture & tradition. And the country’s artisans and craftsmen played an important role in making the country the ‘Sone Ki Chidiya’. Today, the Hunar Haat is uniting the art and skill from every corner of the country.
On the occasion, Union Minister for Minority Affairs and Deputy Leader, Rajya Sabha, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that the Hunar Haat has proved a “powerful perfect platform” of three Vs — “Vishwakarma Virasat Ka Vikas”. The Government has not only protected the country’s legacy of art and craftsmanship, it has also provided market and opportunities to indigenous products.
Naqvi shared that more than seven lakh artisans, craftsmen and people associated with them have been provided employment and employment opportunities through Hunar Haat in the last about 6 years. About 40 per cent of them are women artisans.
In his address, senior Gujarat Minister Purneshbhai Modi said that every region, every district, every village of our country has skilled people.
Exquisite and elegant indigenous handmade products from more than 30 States and UTs are available in this 34th Hunar Haat in Surat where more than 600 artisans and craftsmen are participating with about 300 stalls. Traditional dishes from different regions of the country are also available at Hunar Haat in Surat.
Besides rare handmade indigenous products and traditional dishes; various cultural and musical programmes of renowned artists and Vishwakarma Vatika are also a major attraction of this 10-day Hunar Haat in Surat.
Union Minister of State for Rail and Textiles Darshana Jardosh; Gujarat Road and Building, Tourism Minister Purneshbhai Modi and Agriculture and Energy Minister Mukeshbhai Patel; MLAs Arvindbhai Rana, Kantibhai Balar, Sangitaben Patil, Vivekbhai Patel, Pravinbhai Ghoghari and Zankhanaben H Patel; Surat Mayor Hemali Boghawala and other dignitaries graced the occasion with their presence.