UNESCO lauds West Bengal government’s rural craft hub initiative
“West Bengal is the only state in the country to invest in traditional craft and culture to bring about economic upliftment of its people,” said Moe Chiba, Head of Culture at UNESCO’s India office.
Based on the performance of the initiative, UNESCO will soon renew this partnership to further enhance the impact so as to enable a five-hold increase in the number of beneficiaries.
In September 2013, the State Government’s Department of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprise & Textiles had taken the initiative to develop 10 Rural Craft Hubs to use the rich cultural heritage of the State to bring about sustainable development and socio-economic empowerment of 3000 craft persons.
The project covers Sitalpati weavers at Coochbehar, Mask makers at Dakshin Dinajpur, Kantha embroiders at Birbhum, Dokra makers at Bankra and Bardhaman, Madurkathi weavers at Purba Medinipur, Terracota artists of Bankura, Chau mask makers of Purulia, Wooden doll makers at Bardhaman. Claydoll makers of Nadia and Patachitra painters of Paschim Medinipur. 85% of the craftpersons belong to scheduled castes, other backward classes or minority communities. 60% of the craftspersons are women.
The West Bengal Khadi and Village Industries Board (WBKVIB) provided the necessary hardware, including common facility centre, tools and equipments and working capital support to the artisans.
Rajiva Sinha, Secretary of the MSME&T Department said in the past 30 months, the income of the craftpersons had trebled. In light of this success, the Department had decided to enhance the scope of the project from crafts to include culture as well.
“From being Rural Craft Hubs in 10 districts, these interventions will evolve into Rural Craft & Culture Hubs in 15 districts,” he said.
He added that the Government was considering raising a special cadre of young people in these hubs who would be imparted training in heritage and culture.
These youth would be able to manage interactions with tourists from within and outside the country.
(Reporting by Suchismita Roy)
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