On 13th September 2024, Shri Giriraj Singh, Hon’ble Minister of Textiles, Government of India, inaugurated the Craft Tourism Village in Mahewa, Naini, Prayagraj, and the Common Facility Centre (CFC) for Terracotta Craft in Phaphamau, Prayagraj. The event marked a significant step towards promoting traditional handicrafts and providing a boost to artisans in Uttar Pradesh.
The ceremony was attended by prominent leaders, including Shri Rakesh Sachan, Cabinet Minister, and Smt. Vijay Laxmi Gautam, State Minister, alongside other officials from both the state and central governments.
Key Highlights of the Event:
- Craft Tourism Village, Mahewa, Naini:
- Supports over 500 artisans, primarily focused on Moonj Craft, the ODOP product of Prayagraj.
- Involves 25 Self-Help Groups to integrate artisans into the tourism circuit, promoting both crafts and tourism.
- In collaboration with the Ministry of Textiles, the Naini Moonj Craft Producer Company Limited was formed to support local artisans.
- Common Facility Centre (CFC), Phaphamau:
- Designed to benefit over 1,000 terracotta artisans.
- Equipped with facilities such as modern furnaces, raw material availability, and improved tools to lower production costs and enhance productivity.
- Aims to facilitate artisans with technical training, packaging, and market access.
Ministerial Remarks:
Shri Giriraj Singh highlighted the role of initiatives like Lakhpati Didi and Shilpi Didi in entrepreneurial growth and urged the district administration to install solar plants in the CFC for energy efficiency. He emphasized the need for better packaging, design improvements, and employment generation through events like the Kumbh Mela.
Shri Rakesh Sachan praised the efforts of the Ministry and discussed the potential of integrating handloom, handicrafts, Khadi, and other allied industries on a single marketing platform. Smt. Vijay Laxmi Gautam advocated for replicating such projects across other regions of Uttar Pradesh for broader employment opportunities.
Craft Promotion & Tourism:
The Craft Village and CFC are part of the National Handicrafts Development Programme (NHDP), supported by the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts). These projects provide infrastructure and training to improve livelihoods and sustain the rich cultural heritage of Moonj and Terracotta crafts.
By establishing such facilities, the Government of India continues to support artisans in skill development, technical advancement, and market expansion, enabling them to preserve traditional crafts while creating sustainable economic opportunities.
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