Artisans from 75 districts showcase their products

LUCKNOW : A grand khadi exhibition remained the centre of attraction for visitors during the Khadi Mahotsav, which got underway on Thursday.

The exhibition, which will continue for another three days, was declared open for commoners soon after chief minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated it around 11:30am.

The event at the Indira Gandhi Pratishthan saw participation of artists and others engaged in Khadi production from all 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh.

“We have made sure that the artisans from all districts participate in the exhibition that is being organised for the first time on such a large scale,” said DS Verma, executive director, Indian Industries Association (IIA) – one of the organisers of the Khadi Mahotsav.

Verma said artisans from across UP have displayed a wide range of products and art work at the exhibition. The exhibition has more than 75 stalls.

Of the many, the stall ‘Royal Honey and Bee Farming Society’ set up by city-based siblings —Dr Nitin Kumar Singh and Nimit Singh remained a major attraction. The highly qualified duo has turned down good job offers to be into apiculture trade. They showcased a range of honey and bee wax products, which the duo said, is their USP.

“We strongly believe in building entrepreneurs and not job seekers.

For the same reason, we are imparting training to progressive farmers and youths to see their future in apiculture. So far, we have created more than 50 entre- preneurs and have transformed lives of many in districts like Hardoi and Sitapur,” said Dr Nitin Kumar Singh, PhD in biotech, who has completed his research on bees from Israel and is the director of the Royal Honey and Bee Farming Society.

The brothers have also established an association ‘Royal Honey and Bee Farming Society’ in 2014.

UP Khadi Gram Udyog, Muzaffarnagar’s stall was the second major attraction on the day.

Here, a 62-year-old artisan was selling unique bed sheets.

“This is a rare art called candle work and our family is leading it. It’s a unique handmade bed sheet, made of pure cotton. It takes almost a week for an artisan to complete one bed sheet,” said Haji Abbas, who calls it his ancestral business.

There were other stalls showcasing pickles, leather goods, jute clothes, silk sarees, carpets and other trades.

“It’s good to see such artwork from our state. The government should provide artisans better platform not only to showcase their products but also to pass on the traditional artwork technique to others who are interested,” said Piyush Sharma, a college student, who came from Aliganj to witness the exhibition.