Varanasi: In a significant event that combined women's empowerment with the recognition of local craftsmanship, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was presented with six GI-tagged treasures from the holy city of Kashi during his Nari Vandan address on Tuesday. This moment served as a national stage for the looms and hands of Kashi, weaving together pride and tradition.
Uttar Pradesh Leads in GI Registrations
Uttar Pradesh tops India's Geographical Indications (GI) map with 79 registered handicrafts, and Kashi's skilled artisans contribute a substantial share. Tuesday's event marked a proud milestone for the city's craftsmen and women, bringing their heritage into the national spotlight.
Unique Tribute to the Prime Minister
Padma Shri awardee Rajni Kant, known as the 'GI Man of India', revealed that a first-of-its-kind tribute was presented to PM Modi: a 24-inch miniature wooden model of the new Lok Sabha chamber. This exquisite piece was crafted in just one week by third-generation Banaras artisan Rajkumar, along with Sanjay Prajapati and Sanoj Painter.
Other GI-Tagged Gifts
Among the other gifts was a 'peacock within peacock' soft stone jali created by state awardee Baccha Lal Maurya of Ramnagar. The set also included a wooden Panchmukhi Ganesha, a Banarasi zardozi artwork depicting the new Parliament building, a Namo Ghat emblem, and a grand papier-mâché Durga mask.
Record Recognition for Kashi's Heritage
The presentation of six GI-tagged crafts on a single platform set a new record, giving Kashi's heritage national recognition and fresh energy to its artisans. Artisans such as Anil Kasera, Arun Kumar, Santara Patel, Poonam Devi, Dinesh Kumar, Avadhesh Singh, and Shadab expressed that this was a proud moment for the city, highlighting the importance of preserving and promoting traditional crafts.
