Minister inaugurates handicrafts expo

Hyderabad, Mar 2 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Minister for Tourism and Export Promotion J Geeta Reddy today inaugurated a handicrafts expo for promotion, marketing and development of traditional handicrafts of the state.

Speaking at the silver jubilee celebrations of the AP Handicrafts Development Corporation, she said the expo would continue for 15 days from March two to 16.

The Corporation had been organising a number of programmes for promotion of handicrafts sales like Lepakshi Heritage Collection Exhibitons, Craft Bazaars, Craft Melas, Handicrafts Expos were organised at prominent commerical and tourism locations all over the country every year in a scheduled manner, she said.

About 200 craft artisans representing different crafts from 18 states would participate in this major event.

Ms Reddy said the objectives of the Corporataion were to develop and promote handicrafts, undertake its marketing, establish showrooms, organise exhibitions and publicity programmes and undertake welfare activities for the benefit of the artisans.

The Corporation procures handicrafts at competitive prices from the artisans through a commitee comprising senior officers and markets through its network of 14 sales emporia with the trade name of 'Lepakshi'.

The corporation had also started fresh initiative of computerising the functions of Lepakshi showrooms and head office to improve its efficiency.

Distinguished craftperson and Padmasri awardee in Gold Leaf Painting Craft Sripathi and Unesco awardees Mukkanti Easwarudu in Kalamkari Block Painting Craft and Siva Prasada Reddy in Kalamkari Painting were felicitated by the minister.

UNI