State level multi-craft exhibition inaugurated in Odisha capital

Bhubaneswar, Feb 7: In a bid provide a platform for marketing of the products of the clusters and individual artisans, an exclusive state level multicraft exhibition is being  organized by the Directorate of Handicrafts & Cottage from 07th - 16th February in Janata Maidan, Bhubaneswar to facilitate the artisans/ SHGs/ Co-operative societies to display & sell their products. As many as 104 stalls have been erected and 136 artisans are participating in the exhibition from 23 districts such as Keonjhar, Jajpur, Balasore, Subarnpur, Baragarh, Khurda, Nayagarh, Dhenkanal, Puri, Mayurbhanj, Jagatsinghpur, Bhadrak, Cuttack, Kendrapara, Bolangir, Sambalpur, Sundargarh, Nabarangpur, Boudh, Gajapati, Jharsuguda, Kalahandi, Kandhamal etc. It is expected to attain a business turnover of Rs75  lakhs during this event. Live Demonstration programme on "Pattachitra" craft has been organised during this exhibition. Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts Department is providing promotional supports for growth of the handicraft sector including market assistance by organizing exhibitions. Various need based interventions are provided to the individuals, SHGs, Cooperative Societies and apex bodies for capacity building, skill up-gradation training, supply of improved tools and equipments, providing bank linkage, infrastructure development, product designing & diversification, marketing assistance to participate in different exhibitions etc. In order to produce market- oriented products, design development programmes engaging designers from inside and outside the state are conducted in clusters to create wide range of products. Online Marketing has been introduced through UTKALIKA for marketing of handicraft products. A Design Cell is established at Handicrafts Complex (SIDAC), Gandamunda, Bhubaneswar with technical support of NID to provide regular design input. A Regional Handicraft Training & Design Centre has been established at Balasore for providing design-led training to artisans. Besides, CFCs have been established at Khandagiri & Gandamunda to provide support for mass production, quality control and top class framing.