PUNJAB Governor Banwarilal Purohit on Saturday inaugurated the 39th ‘Hunar Haat’ here in which over 720 artisans and craftsmen from several States are participating. ‘Hunar Haat’ is an initiative of the Ministry of Minority Affairs for uplifting artisans and to showcase their craft, food and culture. On this occasion, Purohit, in his address, said, “There is no dearth of skilled artisans and craftsmen in our country and ‘Hunar Haat’ has provided ample economic opportunities to them.” Purohit said ‘Hunar Haat’ has provided a huge platform to the indigenous artisans and craftsmen and it is an effective effort to take local indigenous talent to global level, according to an official release. The Governor said ‘Hunar Haat’ has given recognition to India’s traditional and ancestral art and craft, which was on the verge of extinction.

 

“There is a tremendous scope of export of indigenous products of our artisans and ‘Hunar Haat’ is playing a vital role in this regard,” he said. Union Minister for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said ‘Hunar Haat’ has provided employment opportunities to more than 8.50 lakh indigenous artisans and craftsmen and other people associated with them in the last about seven years. Over 50 per cent of these beneficiaries are women artisans. This is testament to the successful journey of ‘Hunar Haat’, he said.