Gandhi handicraft mela begins in Noida Sector 136

The Uttar Pradesh Handicrafts Development and Marketing Corporation on Wednesday started a Gandhi handicrafts festival in Noida’s Sector 136. Prominent among the participants are craftsmen from Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Uttarakhand.

The Uttar Pradesh Handicrafts Development and Marketing Corporation on Wednesday started a Gandhi handicrafts festival in Noida’s Sector 136. Prominent among the participants are craftsmen from Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Uttarakhand.

Craftsmen from Varanasi, Mahoba, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Uttarakhand have set up stalls at the fair. (Virendra Singh Gosain/HT PHOTO)

The festival is being organised at the UP Crafts Mart in Ssector 136 along the Noida Expressway and will culminate on March 31. Organisers said the fair is open from 11 am till 8pm daily.

Dr Rajneesh Dube, principal secretary of industries, UP, and Gautam Budh Nagar district magistrate NP Singh inaugurated the festival.

Craftsmen from Varanasi, Mahoba, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Uttarakhand have set up stalls at the fair.

“The objective of this event is to give a platform to craftsman of various areas to showcase their talent. They get an opportunity to not only exchange their craftsmanship but also learn about different cultures. The UP government will organise more such events in future,” Dube said.

The festival has handmade wooden toys, Banarasi sarees, leather wallets, bangles, miniature paintings, earthenware and brass artifacts on offer for visitors.

“This is the first time I have come to Noida to set up a stall to sell wooden toys of different kinds. I am sure people will like my products. I have a lot of toys to offer children. I hope that the fair sees a good turnout so that I can make a handsome profit,” said Sayyed Nayaz, who came from Karnataka.

Officials said the aim of the event is to ensure that people get quality products at reasonable rates and craftsman also stand to make a profit.

The UP Crafts Mart also has a food court. But there is no public transport facility available to take visitors to this place.

“If anyone wants to visit the event, they will have to travel by private vehicles or cabs since the area is located a little away from the main city,” said Mukesh Bagri, a craftsman.