The 35th edition of the Hunar Haat was inaugurated in New Delhi on Thursday where about 700 artisans, craftsmen from more than 30 States and Union Territories would be participating to showcase their art, craft and skills to lakhs of visitors who are likely to throng the event over the next 14 days.
The Hunar Haat was inaugurated by Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Labour and Employment Bhupender Yadav along with Union Minister for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi at New Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
Addressing the occasion, Yadav said “Hunar Haat is a “Sangam of Culture, Craft and Creativity”. Every region and every section of the society of the country has unique talent of art and craftsmanship. This talent needs to be promoted and Hunar Haat is playing an important role in this regard. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s inspiration and Union Minority Affairs Minister Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi’s dedication has ensured ample national and international opportunities to indigenous products of Indian artisans and craftsmen and Hunar Haat has provided financial opportunities to artisans and craftsmen by including them into the mainstream development process.”
Naqvi said that Hunar Haat” is a “Perfect Platform of Protection, Preservation, Promotion” of Indian legacy of art and craft. “The “Hunar Haat” has proved a “powerful perfect platform ` of’’ “3Vs”- “Vishwakarma Virasat Ka Vikas”. The Modi Government has not only protected the country’s legacy of art and craftsmanship, it has also provided new energy and market and opportunities to indigenous products.” He spoke.
The other eminent personalities present at the inauguration of the Hunar Haat in Delhi included Union Minister of State for External Affairs Meenakshi Lekhi, Former Union Minister and MP Dr. Harsh Vardhan, MP Manoj Tiwari and Shri Parvesh Sahib Singh.
This edition of the Hunar Haat will showcase craftsmanship, arts, skills and exquisite and elegant indigenous handmade products from over 30 states and union territories including that of Bihar, West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Haryana, Manipur, Meghalaya amongst many others. Not only art and craft, each state will also lay out a lavish display of their culinary experience over the next 14 days where each state will show case and treat visitors some unique dishes from their respective states.
Apart from this, the Hunar Haat will showcase various cultural and musical programmes by renowned artists such as Pankaj Udhaas, Altaf Raja, Daler Mehndi, Manoj Tiwari, and many other artists. Live performance of historic serial “Mahabharat” by renowned actors Puneet Issar, Gufi Paintal and other will also be performed and traditional circus which has been a major attraction of the Hunar Haat in New Delhi will also be on display this time.
However, organisers of Hunar Haat has made adequate arrangements keeping in mind the Covid 19 pandemic situation in the national capital and according to the organisers, mask has been made mandatory for entry into Hunar Haat. Masks will also be provided to the visitors free of cost. More than 350 cleaning workers, more than 200 security people are deployed to maintain hygiene, cleanliness and security in the entire campus of Hunar Haat. A separate parking space has been arranged near the venue which is being managed by a team of 50 people. Three teams of total 40 people are engaged in management of Vishwakarma Vatika, Mera Ganv Mera Desh and Bawarchikhana sections of Hunar Haat. Continuous monitoring will also be done with CCTV cameras and drone cameras.