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Want handicraft by Muslims or Hindus? Govt helps you choose : The Indian Express
For the first time ever, the Government has set up a separate section called ``Minority Handicrafts`` at this year`s India International Trade Fair at Pragati Maidan.
For the first time ever, the Government has set up a separate section called ‘‘Minority Handicrafts’’ at this year’s India International Trade Fair at Pragati Maidan.
So while last year, Muslim artisans—potters from Kutch, weavers from Andhra Pradesh, chikan embroiders from UP—had stalls alongside Hindu potters from Pokharan and metal artisans from Bastar, this year some of them have been herded into a separate section in Hall 14.
If that isn’t so subtle, consider this: these 16 stalls exclusively for ‘‘minority artisans’’—there are 15 Muslim artisans and one Sikh—are tucked away in a remote corner of the hall which also showcases ‘‘engineering, technomart and agro mart exhibitions.’’ And stalls of the Central Power and Water department (CPWD), Railway Ministry and Water Resources.
In contrast, Hall 7 this year is the fair’s showpiece. Called Saras 2001, this is the ‘‘general’’ section, advertised as the ‘‘brand ambassador for rural skills.’’
The fair is organized by the Commerce and Industry Ministry’s India Trade Promotions Organization.
But the idea of having a separate section for minorities this year is that of the National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. It chose the ‘‘minority artisans’’ with the help of NGOs across the country. Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Satayanarayan Jatiya sees nothing wrong with this segregation. When contacted by The Indian Express, he said: ‘‘This is something like the disability group, tribal welfare, safai karamchari foundations working for specific groups. It is purely finance-based.’’ Jatiya claims that his Ministry had nothing to do with the ‘‘coinage’’ of the term ‘‘minority handicraft.’’
However, the NMDFC takes a different line. Says its managing director Veena Chhotray: ‘‘Since it is the minority community artisans that have made this craft, we decided to call it minorities handicrafts. Giving them a separate stall helps them to sustain themselves.’’
So while last year, Muslim artisans—potters from Kutch, weavers from Andhra Pradesh, chikan embroiders from UP—had stalls alongside Hindu potters from Pokharan and metal artisans from Bastar, this year some of them have been herded into a separate section in Hall 14.
If that isn’t so subtle, consider this: these 16 stalls exclusively for ‘‘minority artisans’’—there are 15 Muslim artisans and one Sikh—are tucked away in a remote corner of the hall which also showcases ‘‘engineering, technomart and agro mart exhibitions.’’ And stalls of the Central Power and Water department (CPWD), Railway Ministry and Water Resources.
In contrast, Hall 7 this year is the fair’s showpiece. Called Saras 2001, this is the ‘‘general’’ section, advertised as the ‘‘brand ambassador for rural skills.’’
The fair is organized by the Commerce and Industry Ministry’s India Trade Promotions Organization.
But the idea of having a separate section for minorities this year is that of the National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. It chose the ‘‘minority artisans’’ with the help of NGOs across the country. Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Satayanarayan Jatiya sees nothing wrong with this segregation. When contacted by The Indian Express, he said: ‘‘This is something like the disability group, tribal welfare, safai karamchari foundations working for specific groups. It is purely finance-based.’’ Jatiya claims that his Ministry had nothing to do with the ‘‘coinage’’ of the term ‘‘minority handicraft.’’
However, the NMDFC takes a different line. Says its managing director Veena Chhotray: ‘‘Since it is the minority community artisans that have made this craft, we decided to call it minorities handicrafts. Giving them a separate stall helps them to sustain themselves.’’