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Toshali crafts fair gets underway in Bhubaneswar

BHUBANESWAR: Contrary to the claims of the organisers that it would be an exciting affair like the famous Suraj Kund crafts mela, the second Toshali national crafts fair started with a dull note exactly as the previous year.

Even after the inauguration ceremony was over, a number stalls were seen remaining empty in the poorly lighted sprawling Janata Maidan that wore a desolate look due to scanty visitors.

Even though the fair was announced to be inaugurated on Friday, the Department of Tourism that has been hosting the event with financial support of the Centre, postponed it to Saturday apparently to get it inaugurated by the Union Tourism and Culture Minister Ambica Soni.

In her inaugural address, Ms. Soni mentioned that the as part of the initiative of her Ministry has selected Bhubaneswar as the venue for hosting an annual mega shopping festivals for promotion of handicrafts and rural tourism. The Ministry has identified six cities to host such events in the respective regions of the nation - East, West, South, North, Central and the North-East - and the Toshali festival has been the first in its line, it was learnt.

The Minister further informed that her Ministry has identified 127 villages in the country and has developed special projects for promotion of art and crafts along with rural tourism.

UNDP and INTACH are collaborating in the programme, she added.

In his welcome note, Orissa’s Tourism Minister Debi Prasad Mishra announced that the cultural programmes slated for the inaugural evening have been cancelled as part of the "unfortunate incident" of Nayagarh. Among others, member of Parliament Mr. Prasanna Patsani and City Mayor Mr.Mihir Mohanty also addressed at the inaugural function.

Over 150 craft persons including a large number of national and State awardees are slated to showcase their products.

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