Lok Sabha Question No. 174 (STARRED), answered on 2021-12-09
Subject: Conservation of Traditional Skills of Artisans
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: Anil Firojiya

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA STARRED Q.NO. 174

ANSWERED ON 09.12.2021

## CONSERVATION OF TRADITIONAL SKILLS OF ARTISANS

## † *174. SHRI ANIL FIROJIYA

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state: (a) whether traditional, good quality, aesthetic, indigenous and handicraft products can also be exhibited on the platforms other than 'Hunar Haat' in various States to promote and conserve valuable  traditional  skills  of  the  artisans  and  craftsmen  of  the  country  including  Madhya Pradesh; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether any steps have been taken in this regard to conserve the culture and tradition of the country and to promote the spirit of 'Unity in Diversity' mentioned in the Constitution; and (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI MUKHTAR ABBAS NAQVI)

(a) to (d) A Statement is laid on the table of the House.

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STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF  LOK  SABHA STARREDQUESTION NO. 174 ANSWERED ON 09.12.2021 ASKED BY HON'BLE MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT SHRI ANIL FIROJIYA REGARDING 'CONSERVATION OF TRADITIONAL SKILLS OF ARTISANS.'

(a) & (b) Hunar Haat is an effective platform wherein opportunity is given to artisans/craftsmen and  culinary  experts  from  across  the  country  to  showcase  and  market  their  handicrafts  and indigenous products. Hunar Haat has generated employment and employment opportunities for artisans,  craftpersons  and  associated  persons  and  has  further  strengthened  their  market linkages.  Hunar  Haat  also  aims  to  preserve  the  languishing  indigenous  arts  and  crafts  from across  the  country.  So  far,  33  Hunar  Haats  have  been  organized  since  November  2016,  at various  locations  throughout  the  country,  including  02  Hunar  Haats  in  the  state  of  Madhya Pradesh at Indore & Bhopal.  More than 7 lakh artisans, craftsmen and people associated with them have been benefitted through various Hunar Haats organized by the Ministry.

Hunar  Haat  has  not  only  made  the  artisans  and  craftpersons  self-reliant,  it  has  also contributed immensely towards strengthening the economy by generating employment for the most  marginalized  sections  of  the  society.  Hunar  Haat  has  become  an  effective  platform  to strengthen & bolster 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' and 'Vocal for Local'.

To further enhance the market linkage of the artisans/craftpersons and culinary experts from  across  the  country,  Hunar  Haat  has  continuously  expanded  both  physically  as  well  as digitally. Hunar Haat is available on a virtual platform in the form of E-Haat and Government e Marketplace  (GeM)  platform  wherein  handicraft  and  indigenous  products  of  artisans  are displayed on the website and buyers can directly buy from artisans.  Artisans are registered on the Government e Marketplace (GeM) giving them another reliable platform and opportunity to showcase and sell their products.

(c)  &  (d)  Hunar  Haat  is  a  perfect  platform  for  promotion  and  preservation  of  Indian  artisans, craftsmen and indigenous products which is playing an effective role in the pledge of Swadeshi se  Swavalamban''  and  'Vocal  for  Local'  thereby  contributing  to  the  objectives  of  self-reliant India.

Hunar Haat is promoting the pledge of unity in diversity and Ek Bharat Shreshth Bharat through the meaningful message of indigenous art and culture of all regions/States of the country.  In addition, traditional arts, culinaries, attire and cultural heritage of different regions is presented and exhibited in the cultural programmes in Hunar Haat.  Further, traditional artistic skills of our country and the traditional working styles are displayed through Vishvkarma Vatika in various Hunar  Haats  so  that  our  new  generation  understands  and  connects  with  the  invaluable indigenous heritage of India.

The  Hunar  Haats  have  been  organised  in  New  Delhi,  Mumbai,  Prayagraj,  Lucknow,  Jaipur, Ahmedabad,  Hyderabad,  Puducherry,  Bhopal,  Indore,  Ranchi,  Mysuru,  Panaji,  Dehradun, Vrindavan  and  Rampur  etc.    In  addition  to  these,  a  number  of  Hunar  Haats  are  also  being organised in different cities/locations of the country.

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