Handicrafts production picks up

By Our Staff Reporter

PONDICHERRY, JAN. 6. The production of handicrafts in the Union Territory of Pondicherry has picked up fast, thanks to the programmes implemented by the District Industries Centre (DIC) over the years.

An official source said here on Saturday, that the ongoing handicrafts fair in Vel Sokkanatha Tirumana Nilayam organised by the DIC attracted participants from Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Bihar, U.P. and Gujarat besides the Union Territory of Pondicherry.

The DIC had implemented special training programme for the prospective cafftsmen in the Union Territory. There were nearly 3,000 artisans here. They produce annually Rs. 50 crore worth of handicraft products and, of this, nearly Rs. 25 crore worth of handicraft items were being exported every year.

The DIC is offering a year-long training every year to 600 persons in different aspects of handicrafts under the supervision of master craftsmen. The trainees find that they could earn much at the end of the training programmes. The DIC also has drawn up programmes for marketing the handicrafts.

The future programmes of the DIC include opening of a sales emporium in north bouleward which is being got ready at a cost of Rs. 25 lakhs. A handicraft village on an extent of 15 acres would also be created in Murungambakkam near here with an outlay of Rs. 4 crores. This village would be exclusively devoted to establishment of a permanent handicraft production centre. There would be an exhibition hall in the propsed premises.

A permanent show room now functioning on the beach road (PUDHUMAI) had been attracting a large number of patrons. A similar emporium would be started in the temple town of Tirunallar near Karaikal.

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Section  : Southern States
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