40TH HUNAR HAAT

• Recently, the 40th edition of the ‘Hunar Haat’ was inaugurated in Mumbai. In this edition, more than a thousand craftsmen and artisans coming from 31 states and Union Territories participated.
• Hunar Haat has been conceptualized to protect and promote the country’s ancestral legacy of arts and crafts in the current global competition and to support the traditional artisans and craftsmen.
• The artisans selected in the Hunar Haat exhibition are those whose forefathers were involved in such traditional handmade work and are still continuing the profession.
• Vocal for Local and “Best from Waste”.
• To provide market exposure and employment opportunities to artisans, craftsmen and traditional culinary experts.
• Boosting the skills of craftsmen, weavers and artisans who are already engaged in the traditional ancestral work.
• These are organized by the Ministry of Minority Affairs under USTTAD (Upgrading the Skills & Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development) scheme.
• The USTTAD scheme aims to promote and preserve the rich heritage of the traditional arts & crafts of the minority communities.
• Aatmanirbhar Bharat is being strengthened by initiatives like Hunar Haat.
• Skill training is provided so that you do not become job-seekers, instead become job-givers. For
• ‘Tejas’a skilling programme which has been launched by the Government of India.
• Under this initiative, India will send skilled manpower to the UAE. Within a year, 30,000 skilled job-seekers will be sent to the UAE.
• Through Humar Haats one will get to witness ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ and experience the essence of ‘Unity in Diversity ‘.

Way Forward

• The Ministry of Minority Affairs should examine the feasibility of conducting short term Skill training courses concurrently in the future edition of Hunar Haats planned across the country.
• Also, the Ministry of Minority Affairs can tie up with the universities, colleges and schools so that students can be brought to the Expo and given demonstrations about how ‘Best from Waste’ can be created.

SOURCE: THE HINDU,THE ECONOMIC TIMES,MINT