By SHRI RAM SHAW
AGRA (UP): The 41st edition of Hunar Haat – the “Kumbh of Kaushal Kuber”, an effective campaign of “Acclamation to Art” and “Splendour to Skill”, is currently underway at Shilpgram, Tajganj in Agra, Uttar Pradesh till 29th May. More than 800 artisans and craftsmen from 32 States and Union Territories of the country are participating in this 12-day event.
Fabulous handmade products ranging from pottery to wooden works to sandalwood works, clay work to glass work, brass work to iron work, handloom to handicrafts and other products are available at the “Hunar Haat”. Visitors are also enjoying traditional foods from different regions of the country at “Mera Ganv, Mera Desh” (food court). “Vishwakarma Vatika”, traditional circus, laser shows, musical and spectacular cultural programmes of renowned and emerging artists, selfie points etc are major attraction of this “Hunar Haat”.
The visitors at Agra “Hunar Haat” are also enjoying musical and cultural programmes every evening. Renowned artists such as Shailendra Singh, Pankaj Udhaas, Daler Mehdi, Altaf Raja, Talat Aziz, Mohit Chauhan, Roop Kumar Rathore and Sonali Rathore, Bhoomi Trivedi, Poornima Shrestha, Raju Shrivastava, Nizami Bandhu, Pratibha Singh Baghel, Dilbag Singh, Neha Khan, Mohit Khanna, Rekha Raj, P. Ganesh, Bela Sulekha, Ankita Pathak, Jolly Mukherjee, Aditi Khandegal, Hema Sardesai, Bhupinder Singh Bhuppi, Anil Bhatt, Hamsika Iyer, Priya Malick, Dilbagh Singh, Ritesh Mishra, Bhumika Malik, Ashu Bajaj, Vivek Mishra, Rahul Joshi, Supriya Joshi and others are enthralling the audience with different musical, cultural, traditional events, dance programmes, comedy performance etc.
Union Minister for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that by eradicating the “disease of policy paralysis”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has become an “Institution of Good Governance and Mission of Inclusive Development”. Modi has saved the country by turning a crisis into an opportunity. Even during the global economic recession, Modi worked tirelessly and honestly for the safety and well-being of the country and its people.
He added that “Hunar Haat” is a credible confluence of “Vocal for Local”, “Swadeshi”, “Self-reliant India”, “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat”. “Hunar Haat” is playing a pivotal role in “Preservation, Protection, Promotion” of centuries old rich legacy of art and craft of the country.
He further said that cutting across barrier of caste, community, region and religion, “Hunar Haat” has provided employment and self-employment opportunities to about 10 lakh 50 thousand artisans and craftsmen from all sections of the society in the last 6 years. More than 50 per cent beneficiaries are women artisans from all sections.
Naqvi stated that “Hunar Haat” has given a new glory and recognition to centuries old indigenous legacy of art and culture which was on the verge of extinction. The tremendous enthusiasm of the people for “Swadeshi” is the main reason behind the enormous success of “Hunar Haat”.
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said that “Hunar Haat” is an efficacious platform to witness art and culture of the entire country under one roof. “Hunar Haat” is working effectively to preserve and promote the traditional cultural legacy of India.
Pathak further said that while on one hand exquisite products of artisans and craftsmen from every corner of the country are available in this “Hunar Haat”, on the other hand traditional delicious foods from every region of the country are also available. It is not a simple task to collect the art and culture of all the states of the country at one place but “Hunar Haat” is playing a commendable role in this regard.
Union Minister of State for Law and Justice Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel said that “Hunar Haat” is working towards preserving and strengthening India’s culture, religion, spirituality, art, music and literature.
Prof. Baghel added that “Hunar Haat” is keeping the folk art, folk culture, folk language, folk food vibrant and united. “Hunar Haat” is a magnificent and prosperous platform to showcase the art and culture of India.
Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Minister Smt. Baby Rani Maurya, Rajya Sabha MP Hardwar Dubey, Agra Mayor Naveen Jain, Agra Cantt. MLA Dr. G. S. Dharmesh, Agra North MLA Purushottam Khandelwal, Bah MLA Smt. Rani Pakshalika Singh, Etmadpur MLA Dr. Dharmpal Singh, Fatehabad MLA Chhotey Lal Verma, Fatehpur Sikri MLA Babulal Chaudhary, Kheragarh MLA Bhagwan Singh, MLC Dr. Akash Agarwal, BJP district president Girraj Singh Kushwah, Mahanagar president Bhanu Mahajan, Chairman UP SC/ST Commission Dr. Rambabu Harit, Chairman UP Minority Commission Ashfaq Saifi and other dignitaries also graced the occasion.