PICK YOUR CHOICE: An array of handicrafts from North-Eastern States on display at the exhibition in Vijayawada on Wednesday. — PHOTO: CH. VIJAYA BHASKAR

VIJAYAWADA: A fortnight-long handicrafts and handlooms exhibition, being organised by the North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation (NEHHDC) Limited, got off to a colourful start at Madhu Kalamandapam here on Wednesday. Artisans from seven North-Eastern states are displaying a wide-range of exquisite hand-made products.

Promotion drive

Keen on promoting the products among prospective customers without any involvement of middlemen, Government of India's Development Commissioner (handicrafts) is sponsoring the expo through its `Purbashree' emporium at Kolkata. Eye-catching garments, textiles, jewellery, leather bags, cane and bamboo products are on display. Chadalavada Sudha, member of the TTD Board of Trustees, inaugurated it. Exhibition manager S.K. Puzari said that the NEHHDC Limited was planning two more expos at Guntur and Rajahmundry. "We have already organised one at Kakinada. The patronage by people of Andhra Pradesh is very encouraging. A variety of items are on display to suit the tastes of all age groups and both genders," he said. "Apart from North Eastern states, we are also displaying selected crafts from other States like Rajasthan and Orissa," Mr. Puzari said.

High quality

Products worth Rs. 20 lakhs were on display and the corporation was expecting to sell the wares worth Rs. 10 lakhs in the expo. The products displayed were of high quality and were available at an affordable price, he said.

Mr. Puzari explained that products from a minimum of Rs. 50 to a maximum of Rs 15,000 were being showcased. High quality cane furniture to suit the modern lifestyle was available. The organisers were also conducting a demonstration session every day, in which artisans would display the making of handicrafts to viewers. The exhibition would conclude on October 25. "If the response from patrons is encouraging, we would like to extend the expo by a few more days," Mr. Puzari said.

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