UP govt gives roadside potters a chance to showcase their skills
Encouraged by the enthusiastic response to the Maati Kala Board fair in Lucknow, the state government’s department of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) has now decided to provide space to such potters who were showcasing their talent by the roadside.
“Maati Kala Board has decided to invite potters, who have been selling their creations by the roadside, to the fair,” tweeted additional chief secretary (MSME and information) Navneet Sehgal.
The 10-day fair was conceived with the aim of ensuring that potters hit by Covid-induced lockdown get a platform to reconnect with people, officials said.
The crowd and the business at the fair on Dalibagh’s Uttar Pradesh Khadi, Gramodyog Board campus here were encouraging, officials said. Maati Kala Board has now decided to stage such fairs across the state.
“These fairs will continue till Diwali,” said Dharamvir Prajapati, the chairman of Maati Kala Board.
He also said the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “vocal for local” push too had helped draw people to the fair.
“Soon after PM’s appeal, chief minister Yogi Adityanath quickly ensured that the appeal was translated into reality by helping provide a stage for clay artists. The fair is witnessing good business,” said Prajapati.
“There has been a business of around Rs 9 lakh,” he said.
Prajapati had spotted some
potters selling their stuff by the roadside and had extended an invite to them to visit the fair and put up their stall.
“So far, four such roadside potters have put up their stalls at the fair and on Sunday they did double the business they did otherwise,” he said.
Potters from 15 districts showcased their creations in 35 stalls at the fair, where live demonstration of pottery- making was quite a hit with the children, officials said.