By OUR STAFF REPORTER
DEHRADUN, 13 Dec: To boost various Handloom and handicraft products manufactured by local crafts persons and weavers, a workshop was conducted under a NABARD scheme by the ‘Uttarakhand Hathkarga and Hastshilp Vikas Parishad’ at Doon Haat on Friday. Products of copper, ‘Ringal’ and ‘Munz’ are being prepared by local people under the ‘Ekikrit Vikas Evam Protsahan Yojna’ over the last three years in various districts of Uttarakhand in 15 development blocks. This scheme is specially created for the uplift of backward communities living in the hills. Designer Abhiruchi Chandel said at the workshop that currently around two hundred women and men are regularly working on manufacturing various copper products. In this workshop, six women are manufacturing products of Munz. She also said that, at Khateema, Udham Singh Nagar, people belonging to the Tharu community are especially involved in manufacturing Munz products. These include baskets for chapatti, planters, dustbins, fruit baskets, jewelry containers, table mat, paper weight, coasters, etc. She also said these various products are sold between prices of Rs 80 and Rs 1500. Recently, at an exhibition held at the international level, various products of Uttarakhand were introduced which were purchased and very much liked by foreigners at the global level. Apan designer Mamta Joshi said, this time, at the Doon Haat Exhibition, eight women belonging to the Apan Society from Haldwani had exhibited the manufacturing of coasters, wall hangings, baskets, stalls, cushions, diary and file folders. These products were sold for prices between Rs 100 and Rs 6000. Various products made by weavers and handicrafts persons are being showcased at the Doon Haat from 12 December to 16 December.
