Panaji: Goa Rehabilitation Board Chairman and Cumbarjua MLA Rajesh Faldessai said that there is a need to create a strong and sustainable ecosystem for local artisans in order to boost the sale of swadeshi products with the support of various state governments. This exhibition aims at showcasing, textiles, handicraft and handmade natural products.
“We need to promote handicraft items made by women self-help groups in Goa. We are ready to support women self-help groups in promoting handicrafts and other swadeshi goods. We have been urging them to come forward. We have told them to start making items. We will help in getting the required materials. The handicraft industry is a source of revenue for the government,” he said while speaking at the inauguration of The Grand Rajasthani Exhibition cum sale at Campal, Panaji on Sunday.
The Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) councillor, Joel Andrade pointed out that exhibitions like this will boost the sale of products which are handmade in India and at the same time it will provide a global platform for artisans and sellers of handcrafted products. The 10-day Grand Rajasthani Exhibition cum sale is being held at Bal Bhavan, opposite parade ground at Campal.
Artisans from Rajasthan, Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka are showcasing their handicraft, handloom, jewellery, as well as fabrics, footwear and decorative items at the Ganesh Chaturthi sale.
Organiser of the exhibition, Pramod Singh said that 90% of the items at the exhibition are hand-made.
“A total of 65 stalls of 25 varieties from around 15 states are here at the exhibition. We are promoting handicrafts from these states. In case any artisans from Goa are interested in displaying their hand made products we can provide the necessary space for them as well,” he said.
The exhibition includes exclusive Rajasthani Malmal cotton saree and Kashmiri pashmina saree and shawls. It is open from 10am to 9pm.
There will also be a Rajasthani Puppet Show and Live Dhol performance.
One is aware that the Indian handicraft sector is an epitome of the rich heritage and diversified culture of the nation. With beautifully articulated designs, Indian artisans bring forth a legacy of their land, culture and myth of their respective art into forms that can be forwarded to future generations. The handicraft and traditional handloom industries are counted among the crucial sectors which generate profitable economic activities among those living in the rural areas of our country.
The Rajasthani exhibition is being organised by O.A&C. R/O by Ministry of Textiles, Government of India.
