Status of Challenges in USTTAD Scheme

Union Minister for Minority Affairs Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi has informed that Upgrading the Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development (USTTAD) scheme aims  to preserve the rich heritage of traditional arts/crafts of minorities. Hunar Haat has been implemented since 2016-17 as a component of USTTAD scheme to provide an effective platform and opportunity to artisans/craftsmen and culinary experts from across the country to showcase and market their handicrafts and indigenous products.

The COVID pandemic has posed a great challenge and has affected the artisan community, by adversely impacting sales of arts/crafts products, their livelihood opportunities and sources of income.   As soon as the COVID SOPs were relaxed, Ministry while observing the various COVID protocols had re-started the training being conducted under USTTAD Scheme and also organised Hunar Haats by strictly following the COVID protocols.  The Hunar Haats organised after the COVID pandemic  are at  Delhi  (4), Rampur (2), Lucknow (2), Mysuru, Bhopal, Goa, Dehradun, Surat, Puducherry, Hyderabad, Guwahati, Chandigarh.  This has provided the artisans with much needed opportunity to resume their businesses and work, including providing employment to workers.

Further, Hunar Haat has continuously expanded both physically as well as digitally with a view to overcome the challenges of the post-COVID era.  Hunar Haat is available on a virtual platform  www.hunarhaat.org in the form of E-Haat and Government e Marketplace (GeM) platform wherein handicraft and indigenous products of artisans are displayed on the website and buyers can directly buy from artisans.  Ministry has also tied up with the apex body of handicraft exporters in the country to promote exports of products/handicrafts of artisans and craftpersons by strengthening the export orientation of artisans through capacity building & training with focus on digital content/e-learning, product & design development, e-commerce, marketing and export promotions.

“Nai Roshni”, a scheme for Leadership Development of Minority Women is being implemented across India with an aim to empower and instil confidence in women by providing knowledge, tools and techniques for interacting with Government systems, banks and other institutions at all levels.   The Ministry has successfully implemented Nai Roshni Scheme despite various challenges posed by COVID -19.