No more Chinese Laxmi-Ganesh
Gorakhpur terracotta Laxmi-Ganesh to challenge Chinese idols in Diwali
No more Chinese Laxmi-Ganesh. Girish Pandey
LUCKNOW: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath wishes to bid adieu the China mad idols of Laxmi-Ganesh from Indian soil in this Diwali. The CM wants not only hit China on economic front but also promote the terracotta craft for which his home district Gorakhpur has recently got Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
It has been common to see the markets flooded with Chinese goods including idols of Laxmi-Ganesh and lights during Diwali festival. Now, the authorities have geared up to fulfill CM’s wish. All efforts would be made to ensure that Laxmi-Ganesh idols prepared by local artisans capture Indian markets, putting an end to the import from China.
No more Chinese Laxmi-Ganesh
For this purpose, the clay artisans and sculptors from across the country would be trained by holding workshops both virtual and real. The online workshop would be started shortly roping in the experts from Indian Institute of Craft and Design (IICD), Jaipur, Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Rural Industrialization (MGIRI), Wardha, National Institute of Fashion and Technology (NIFT), Rae Bareli, and UP Industries of Design (UPID). The online workshop would be held in every division.
If the things go normal, a real workshop would be held in Gorakhpur in August inviting the sculptures from across the country for learning the skill of making terracotta idols from local craftsmen. According to the principal secretary, MSME, Navneet Sehgal, since CM has wished that this Diwali people should buy idols of Laxmi-Ganesh made by local craftsmen, the Mati Kala Board is going to organize a national level workshop in Gorakhpur. The main objective of the workshop is to transfer the technology of Gorakhpur terracotta craft to artisans and potters of other states for making idols and statues of Ganesh-Laxmi.
No more Chinese Laxmi-Ganesh
CM intends to strengthen the Uttar Pradesh Mati Kala Board, which is affiliated to the State Khadi Vikas Board, to give maximum employment to the rural people, and the skilled migrants.The short-term training sessions of three, seven and 15 days would be held for the terracotta artisans. Besides, 2,700 beneficiaries would be provided with electric potter’s wheels. The Mati Kala Board has targeted to provide job opportunities to 10,500 artisans in this financial year.
