Centre to revive wooden toys business in Varanasi

In view of a "huge" demand for biodegradable toys world over, the Centre will work towards reviving the traditional business of wooden toys in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's constituency Varanasi and link it to global market, Union Minister Najma Heptulla said here today.
"It has been the age-old tradition of producing wooden toys in Varanasi. Today, there is a huge demand for biodegradable toys in the world. So, we are trying to revive the old tradition," the Minority Affairs Minister said.
Heptulla, who will launch an exhibit of products by artisans at Banaras Hindu University tomorrow, said the government will encourage local workers to produce "international quality" toys using non-poisonous colours so that children can use them without any harm.

She added the works of local artisans from minority communities will be exposed to the world market through e-commerce portal 'shopclues.Com' under government's Upgrading the Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development (USTTAD) scheme.
Apart from meeting skilled workers in the toys business, the minister will interact with artisans engaged in making of Banarasi and Jamdani sarees and zardoji (hand embroidery).
She will also hold discussions with knowledge partners under the scheme such as National Institute of Design (NID), National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) and Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP) and master craftsman and others on reviving the business during her day-long trip.

USTTAD aims at capacity building and updating traditional skills of master craftsmen and artisans who, in turn, will train minority community members in various specific traditional crafts, especially local arts.