Union Minister of Textiles, Smriti Irani, laid the foundation stone of a Hastshilp Bhawan in New Delhi today. Minster of Textiles in her address stated that the Bhawan will be named Deen Dayal Antarashtriya Hastshilp Bhawan and awardee artisans will be allocated space for marketing their products, on a rotation basis, and preference will be given to Divyang artisans. Smriti Irani, also said that the Hastshilp Bhawan will have dormitory facilities for handicrafts artisans who will come from all across the country. There will be a separate research wing and research will be carried out on endangered crafts and new and emerging handicrafts products and markets.

At present different offices of handicrafts are situated in different places. The Hastshilp Bhawan, when constructed, will have 23 shops meant for artisans, one showroom for artisans from SAARC countries, one kiosk, five galleries and one conventional hall. It will also provide better accessibility to the artisans coming from all over the country and SAARC nations.

Member of Parliament, South Delhi, Ramesh Bidhuri and Development Commissioner, Handicrafts, Shantmanu, were also present on this occasion along with handicrafts artisans.

The construction of the Hastshilp Bhawan is being undertaken by NBCC at a cost of Rs.113.56 crores. The construction will be complete in 18 months.

– Indian Apparel, Apparel Talk, Apparel and Textile News