Bhubaneswar, March 09: The Crafts Council of Odisha, an association of craft lovers of the state affiliated to the Crafts Council of India and the World Crafts Council, launched its unique programme “Craftsperson of the Week” at Ekamra Haat in Bhubaneswar today.

The programme was inaugurated by Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar, Handloom, Textiles & Handicrafts Secretary in the presence of Santosh Kumar Mohapatra, Chairman of the Crafts Council of Odisha, and other distinguished guests.

The initiative aims to showcase one outstanding craftsperson every week from Monday to Sunday. Under the programme, the selected craftsperson will be provided with an air-conditioned showroom at Ekamra Haat for the entire week to display and sell his or her products. The council will also facilitate publicity and interaction with buyers, designers and craft lovers.

The programme for the first month is being sponsored by SNM Group of Companies. Its Chairman, Pradipta Mohanty, along with Diptee Mohanty, was present on the occasion. The first craftsperson to participate in the programme is Kalpataru Moharana, who is a National Merit & Shilpi Guru Award winner craftsman from Lalitgiri of Cuttack district adept in the craft of stone carving.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chairman of the council explained that the objective of the World Crafts Council, which is also adopted by the state council, is to preserve and promote the traditional crafts of Odisha.