Varanasi, October 28 (IANS). The shine of gold and silver is losing its luster in Diwali in comparison to the products of pink enamel, the country’s age-old handicraft art. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has appealed to give GI and ODOP products as gifts. Now its demand has increased not only in India but also in the world.
Demand for pink Meenakari products for gifting during Diwali is also coming from abroad. Handicrafts associated with pink enamel have received orders from abroad in Diwali. Orders for pink enamel included in GI product have also been received from countries like California, France and Dubai etc. Orders worth more than Rs 4 to 5 crore have been received in Diwali. Along with this, the handicraftsmen associated with pink meenakari keep getting orders worth crores throughout the year.
PM Modi-CM Yogi, the brand ambassador of the skills of handicraftsmen, has introduced GI products to the international market. Demand for pink enamel is coming from the corporate world as well as from abroad.
National Awardee Kunj Bihari said that orders for Ganesh idols are highest in Diwali. Apart from this, demand for peacock, elephant, conch, ornaments etc. is also high. In Diwali alone, pink meenakari craftsmen from India and abroad have orders worth around Rs 4 to 5 crore. Apart from this, the handicraftsmen have also received good orders for the year. Due to the use of gold, silver and diamonds, the price of pink enamel products ranges from thousands to lakhs.
Handicraftmen Babu Soni, Lokesh Singh say that corporate companies place orders in bulk to give gifts. During Diwali, the demand for pink enamel products increases in the market. Women and girls have a special role in accomplishing this. Along with studies and household chores, women are becoming self-reliant through this unique skill of handicraft.
Handicraftman Vijay Kumar said that with the help of the government, he trains women in training programs that run from time to time to enhance the craft of pink enamel and provide employment.
Madhu Gupta, an NRI living in California, has her own store. He said that the present government has once again taken India’s handicraft art to foreign countries. The demand for age-old handicrafts like pink meenakari is increasing in foreign countries. People are liking it for gifting in Diwali. Seeing its demand, I had already ordered it for my store.
–IANS
SK/ABM
