'Hunar Haat' culture fest concludes

The Centre's 'Hunar Haat' initiative aimed at promoting talent among minority community craftsmen, culminated here today, with the government claiming over 26 lakh people visited the event.
"The Haat not only provided a market and opportunity to master artisans, craftsmen and culinary experts, it also gave a strong message of social harmony," Minister of State for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said in a statement.
The minister said the second edition of the Haat, themed 'Craft Aur Cuisine Ka Sangam', helped the participating artisans get orders from other countries for their crafts and products.
Exquisite pieces of handicraft and handloom work like Makrana marble products, Bandhej from Sikar, Mojri from Rajasthan, Telangana's Banjara embroidery, handmade locks, door handles along with Phool Patti works from Aligarh, and cocoon-decorated products from Nagaland were showcased at the Haat.

Launched on February 11, the Haat also had a 'Bawarchikhana' (kitchen) where cuisines from different parts of the country, including Awadhi Mughlai food from Lucknow, Dal Bati Churma and Thali of Rajasthan, Kerala's Malabari food and Litti Chokha of Bihar were relished.
The Haat was organised through National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation under the ministry's Upgrading Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development (USTTAD) scheme.