Lucknow, Nov 12 (FN Agency) Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare and Chemical and Fertilizers Dr Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the 32nd edition of “Hunar Haat”, “Perfect Platform” to “promote and preserve” traditional art and craft of the country, here on Friday. The Hunar Haat will be held here till November 21. In his address after inaugurating the “Hunar Haat”, Dr Mandaviya said that it is very important to promote, encourage and respect the art and craft of the indigenous artisans and craftsmen of the country. The hidden art and craft across the country are being recognised through “Hunar Haat”. Dr Mansukh Mandaviya said that India has been trading in handicrafts all over the world for several centuries. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given the slogan of “Vocal for Local” to fulfil the vision of “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” (Self-reliant India) which is being carried forward by the “Hunar Haat”. He said that to increase the income of the artisans and craftsmen of the country, there is a need to provide national as well as international markets to these indigenous handmade products and “Hunar Haat” has proved to be an important platform in this direction. Handicrafts of India have gained fame all over the world through “Hunar Haat”. Union Minister for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, UP Ministers Suresh Kumar Khanna, Ashutosh Tandon, Siddharthnath Singh, Brijesh Pathak, Jai Pratap Singh and Nand Gopal Gupta Nandi along with other ministers and officials were present.
On the occasion, Mr Naqvi said that more than 6.75 lakh artisans, craftsmen and people associated with them have been provided employment and employment opportunities through “Hunar Haat” in the last 6 years. Families of great freedom fighter Shaheed Ashfaqullah Khan Ji and other brave martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the security and dignity of the country were honoured on the occasion. People present at the “Hunar Haat” applauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr Mansukh Mandaviya after India achieved the target of vaccination 110 crore people in the country. More than 600 artisans and craftsmen from more than 30 States/UTs are participating in the “Hunar Haat” in Lucknow. Traditional foods from various parts of the country are also available in “Hunar Haat”. Besides “Vishwakarma Vatika”, “Circus” will also be displayed where the Indian circus artists will perform spectacular and diverse traditional entertainment shows. Renowned artists such as Annu Kapoor, Pankaj Udhas, Kumar Shanu, Alka Yagnik, Altaf Raja, Suresh Vadekar, Sudesh Bhosale, Sadanand Biswas (Kathak artist), Prem Bhatia, Vivek Mishra, Dilbag Singh, Rani Indrani, Shibani Kashyap, Sugandha Mishra, Bhupinder Singh Bhuppi, Mohit Khanna and others will perform various cultural and musical programmes every day in the evening at the “Hunar Haat”, being organised from November 12 to 21.