Mysore/Mysuru: The Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, a Nodal Agency for preservation, promotion and protection of Indian handicrafts, is implementing various schemes for the promotion and development of handicrafts and welfare of the craftspersons.

As part of this, Gandhi Shilp Bazaar is being organised at JSS Mysore Urban Haat in Hebbal, Mysuru, in association with JSS Mahavidyapeetha. The exhibition will be open to public from Oct. 22 to 31 (including Sundays) from 10.30 am to 9 pm.

 About 100 craftspersons including National and State Awardees selected through the Field Offices of Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) from various States will be participating in the expo-cum-sale with their exquisite craft creations and traditional artworks. Major crafts that will be on display and sale are wood carvings, stone carvings, bronze icons, wood inlay items, terracotta, papier machie, carpets, durries, imitation jewellery, wooden lacquerware, pearl jewellery, batik, leather craft, kalamkari painting, Tanjore/Mysore painting etc. from the Southern States of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

Artistic leather chappals of Maharashtra, stuffed toys, Kutch embroidery, dhokra casting from Chattisgarh, Chanderi sarees, Patola sarees, pattachitra, silver filigree from Orissa, chittal patti, cane and bamboo, dry flower items from North Eastern States, chickan embroidery, cut glass jewellery, carpets, art metal works from Uttar Pradesh, stone artware, printed textiles, Madhubani paintings of Bihar, phulkari from Punjab, will be available.

Travelling expenses, Dearness Allowance and Freight charges of these artisans are paid by Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) as per norms.  The  expo will be inaugurated by MP Pratap Simha on Oct. 22 at 4 pm. MLA G.T. Devegowda will preside. MUDA Chairman H.V. Rajeev, JSS Mahavidyapeetha Executive Secretary Dr. C.G. Betsurmath, Director, Audit & Accounts, K.R. Santhanam, Joint Director of JSS Technical Education Division Dr. H.R. Mahadevaswamy and Assistant Director of Handicraft Service Centre, K.S.Sunilkumar, will be the chief guests.