“There is No Lack of Talent in India,” says Anurag Thakur

GG News Bureau

Mumbai, 18^th April. Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting and Youth Affairs & Sports, Anurag Singh Thakur inaugurated the 40th edition of the ‘Hunar Haat’ on Sunday in the presence of Union Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, in Mumbai.

The 40th edition of Hunar Haat, a credible platform to promote ‘Swadeshi’ products, is being held at MMRDA Ground, Bandra-Kurla Complex in Mumbai from 16th to 27th April, 2022.

Speaking on the occasion, Thakur said “Aatmanirbhar Bharat is being strengthened by initiatives like Hunar Haat. In this 40th edition of Hunar Haat, more than a thousand craftsmen and artisans coming from 31 states have put up 400 stalls.”

“There is no lack of talent in India,” he said recalling how India responded to PM’s clarion call for building an Atma Nirbhar Bharat during the hours of crisis.

“We started producing PPE Kits, masks and even ventilators.”

The Minister also spoke about ‘One District One Product’, where each district is recognised for one product.

He said this initiative not only allowed people to generate their own income, but also created job opportunities for a few others in the vicinity when economies across the world were affected by the Pandemic.

Thakur highlighted the steps taken by the PM in promoting Skill India.

“Skill training is provided so that you do not become job-seekers, instead become job-givers.” He mentioned that our culture and educational structure had not focused much on the pride of labour.

“PM Modi has stressed a lot on ‘Dignity of Labour’,” he said.

Thakur also informed about Tejas’a skilling programme which has been launched by Govt. 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,” he informed.

Thakur suggested that 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.

He also urged the Minority Affairs Ministry to examine feasibility of conducting short term Skill training courses concurrently in the future edition of Hunar Haats planned across the country.

Thakur urged mediapersons to focus on various stalls put up at the 40th Hunar Haat, so that their information reaches the public and their products receive the right recognition.  He also urged the corporate houses of Mumbai to source their Diwali and anniversary gifts from Hunar Haat.

“Diwali may be 5-6 months away, but place your orders for corporate gifts right now, right here” he said.

Speaking about Hunar Haat, Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that one will get to witness ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ and experience the essence of ‘Unity in Diversity’ at the Hunar Haat in Mumbai.

“You will get to experience the country’s culture & skill right from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and from Kutch to Cuttack,” he said.

He also informed that more than nine lakh artisans and craftspersons have benefitted by getting employment opportunities through Hunar Haat, in the last seven years.

MP and former Union Minister Prakash Javdekar spoke about the hidden talents of the country’s youth and how they excel in different skills.

He encouraged the artisans to come forward and make use of technology to help local products reach the world market. He also spoke about Geographical Indicators which can help country’s artisans find a bigger market.

“When a product is recognised as GI, it gets an opportunity to reach the global market,” he said.