Guwahati: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Union minority affairs minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi inaugurated 38th Hunar Haat, a potential platform to promote India’s rich legacy of art & craft at Khanapara veterinary college ground in the city on Saturday. Organized for the first time in northeast India, the Hunar Haat will continue till 20 March. Over 700 artisans & craftsmen from 30 States and UTs have participated in the unique haat.
Speaking on the occasion, CM Sarma commented that Hunar Haat has been realising the dream of Maati Magicians across the country. It becomes a reason of happiness for artisans and craftsmen. Hunar Haat is strengthening the mission of ‘vocal for local’ by glorifying the indigenous products. It’s indeed a testimony to the unparalleled skill of the indigenous artisans and craftsmen, said Sarma.
Asserting that Hunar Haat is a powerful platform of development with dignities and a contributing factor of strengthening Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Sarma added that it has ensured economic empowerment of artisans and craftsmen as more than 8 lakh people have been provided employment opportunities in the last seven years.
Rajya Sabha deputy leader Naqvi claimed that Hunar Haat has brought revolutionary changes in the lives of artisans and craftsmen by ensuring their socio-economic empowerment. Hunar Haat has proved to be a partner to protect, preserve and promote the precious legacy of artisans and craftsmen, he added.
Rajya Sabha member Bhubaneswar Kalita, Guwahati Lok Sabha member Queen Oja, State ministers Ranjit Kumar Dass, Ashok Singhal, Chandra Mohan Patowary with other dignitaries were also present on the occasion. They appreciated the participants in Hunar Haat, where rare handmade indigenous products from every corner of the country and traditional food of various regions have been showcased.
Circus artists are performing every day at the mela, where popular artistes like Suresh Wadekar, Mahalaxmi Iyer, Amit Kumar, Sudesh Bhosle, Zubeen Garg, Altaf Raja, Kalpana Patowary, Hamsika Iyer, Archana Sharma, Upasana Singh, Dikshu Sarma, Padmanav Bordoloi, Sunita Bhuyen, Rani Indrani, Bhumika Malik, Rekha Raj, Mohit Khanna, Priya Malik, Ritesh Mishra, Gunjan Saxena, etc are scheduled to perform every evening.
