Goa has a rich culture and we need to promote cultures from other parts of the country as well, said Congress Youth leader Mahesh Nadar.
He was speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of the exhibition at the Indian Cotton & Silk Utsav being held at Bal Bhavan, Panaji that is underway till January 15.
With the turn of the New Year, shoppers can look forward to making purchases in exquisite clothes and handicrafts.
The exhibition boasts of a variety of items from numerous states, and this is the idea of a united India, said Nadar.
“This is a very important platform for artisans who have been in their traditional occupations for generations. This exhibition-cum-sale of handmade handicrafts from all over the country, at affordable prices, during the start of the New Year has been set up here for the benefit of the people of Panaji as well as across Goa. This is the idea of India, where handicrafts from states like Rajasthan, Kerala, Karnataka, Bihar and others are showcased here. Even though our Goa has nothing in common with these states, we have accepted their handicrafts,” said Nadar.
Such exhibitions expose Goans to the culture and traditions of various states, Nadar said.
“Goa has a rich culture, and we need to support and encourage all Indian cultures. The organiser has done a brilliant effort of bringing these weavers here to showcase their products and this will ensure that their traditional legacy will remain alive for years ahead,” he added.
“For people who have missed out on such exhibitions in the past, they can visit this exhibition to pick up items that are being sold here. There is wide choice in terms of shoes, toys, jewellery, etc. We need to support such traditional items from other states being sold in our state,” he said.
Organisers of the exhibition Dinesh Sharma and Pramod Singh said that there are 46 stalls from around 12 states.
“A variety of products made by artisans, whom we have brought from across India, are on display. We have a myriad choice of handloom materials for sale of around 100 varieties. There are about 7000 varieties of kurtis, and around 800 varieties of sarees. The exhibition aims to provide a platform to the various states to promote and exhibit their culture, tradition and art. Rural artisans and weavers are featuring a vast collection of cotton and silk handlooms and handicrafts, dress material, cotton sarees and more. We request people to come and visit the exhibition,” Sharma said.
