GI Mahotsav displays India’s invaluable treasures in Kashi

Varanasi: Exhibiting the invaluable treasures of Incredible India showcasing region specific GI-tagged products from 11 states including UP, MP Rajasthan, Bihar, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, Kashmir, Jammu, Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Punjab and Haryana, Union minister Arjun Ram Meghwal inaugurated the first-ever six-day ‘Geographical Indication (GI) Mahotsav’ at Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Trade Facilitation Centre, Bada Lalpur here on Sunday. With the opening of the event, GI products ranging from sweet delicacies like ‘Silao ka Khaja’, ‘Khurma of Ara Udwant Nagar’, ‘Balushahi of Sitamarhi’, ‘Gaya Tilkut’, all from Bihar, and ‘Banaras Lal Peda’ and ‘Banaras Tirangi Burfee’ to the world-famous ‘Banarasi brocades’, ‘Kullu shawls’, ‘Jaipur blue pottery, and much more to be displayed.“Organised by the department for promotion of industry and internal trade of the ministry of commerce Government of India in collaboration with Varanasi district administration, the exhibition has 100 stalls exhibiting GI-tagged products,” said GI expert Padam Sri Rajnikant. Rajnikant is instrumental in facilitating the GI promotion, certification and also organising of this event. He said the GI-tagging encourages growers, artisans and motivates marketers to expand their business both nationally and internationally. Agriculture produces, handicraft and other products including Allahabadi Surkha Amarood, Kota Doria Saree, Madhubani Painting, Maheshwari Saree, Uttarakhand Aipan Art, Uttarakhand Thulma, Sanganer Hand Block print, Kannauj Perfume, Banaras Gulabi Meenakari, Firozabad Glass Craft, Banaras Soft Stone Jali Work, Chamba Rumal, Kashmir Pashmina, Chamba Chappal, Kashmir Kani Shawl, Manjusha Art, Bagru Handblock print, Banaras Block print, Moradabad Brass, Punjab Fulkari, Chanderi Saree Dupatta, Bagh Print of MP, and Thewa Art Jewellery of Rajasthan also remained major attraction of the exhibition.The event has major participation from the eastern UP and Varanasi region from where 18 GI tagged crafts are on display. Participants expect for good trading in this GI Mahotsava as it has been organised ahead of the festival of Diwali. Classical music and dance based cultural programme remained the attraction of the evening.