Proud moment for Okhla!!! Zakir Nagar-based Amin among 16 to scoop State Merit Awards
Zakir Nagar-based Muhammad Amin Farooqui was among 15 selected handicraft artisans who were felicitated by the Delhi government with State Awards at an award ceremony held on Friday. Sixteen skilled artisans were selected for the State Awards and State Merit Awards.
For both, the years 2016 and 2017, the Department of Industries selected 16 such craftsmen with a remarkable talent to award them with State Awards and State Merit Awards.
Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said for Indians art is the way of living and artisans help us to be alive. He said that handicraft has a different style, this beauty can come neither from machines nor from 3D print. He said that we can not only survive based on machines but only with art and artisans.
Satyendar Jain said the Delhi government will take several steps including exhibitions to encourage handicraft art.
He said every state has its unique speciality but, Delhi has an amalgamation of all Indian cultures and it is a ‘Mini Bharat’.
Sisodia said: “I want to welcome all the artisans present here and I am very happy to see that our government is honouring these artisans. Today in the world the competition is very high. Today there are various countries from where cheap products come and today there is also 3-D print.
“These products are not as good as handicrafts and will never be. The handicrafts are a very special kind of products and no other country or technology can bring such products. Only our artisans can make such beautiful products. The handicrafts are not business to these people. But handicrafts are the way of living and tradition for our country. The villagers, farmers, women and many other people work in making handicrafts.
“They love to create these products and these are their traditions. Art is life for Indians and that is why we respect artisans. We cannot survive only based on machines. Many of you are very well educated and I am very happy that today we are able to honour you all.
“As Satyendar said now we will take this industry forward. We will organise exhibitions and utilize platforms like Dilli Hat. If you have any ideas then please share that with us.”
Applauding the winners on their achievements, Jain said every state has its unique speciality but, Delhi has an amalgamation of all Indian cultures.
He coined the term, ‘MINI-BHARAT’ for the national capital. He further added that all governments should make vigorous efforts to promote handicrafts.
Jain also remarked that the culture today was heavily influenced by the industrial ideology and hence the focus on quantity and not quality.
Jain proposed that public demonstration of the compositions by the awardees of the past 5 years should be organised to bring their art, craft, and talent before the eyes of the public so that they become cognisant of the rich cultural heritage of our nation.
Congratulating the winners, Jain said: “We saw the compositions displayed outside and they have been beautifully crafted by the skilled handicrafts artisans. Every state has its unique speciality but, Delhi has an amalgamation of all Indian cultures. It is ‘MINI-BHARAT’. I strongly believe that all governments should make vigorous efforts to promote the nation’s craft.
“Our culture today is heavily influenced by industrial ideology and the focus is more on quantity rather than quality. I believe that one should give more emphasis on quality. Buy 1 product but buy a good product. Heartiest congratulations to all the recipients who have put in immense hard work to present their best compositions. It is because of their dedication and talent that has kept alive the precious cultural heritage of the Delhi Handicraft Industry as well as of the nation.”
Concluding the event, the Jain said: “The pandemic caused a delay in the organisation of the function but we will soon felicitate the artisans for the year 2019 and 2020. I think we must hold a public demonstration of the compositions by the awardees of the past 5 years to bring their art, craft, and talent before the eyes of the public so that they become cognisant of the rich cultural heritage of our nation. Delhi Government’s Department of Industries is committed to the welfare and development of craftsmen.”
List of award winners
1. Ajit Kumar: Ajit Kumar is being awarded for his craft wood carving.
2. Ruby Sharma: Ruby Sharma is being awarded for her craft of Madhubani painting.
3. Ramvati: Ram Bhatti is being awarded for her craft terracotta.
4. Archana Gupta: Archana Gupta being awarded for her craft batic painting.
5. Jyotsna Chaudhary: Jyotsna Chaudhuri is being awarded for her craft paper mache.
6. Rubi Devi: Rubi Devi is being awarded for her Sikki grass craft
7. Rakesh Verma: Rakesh Verma is being awarded for his craft terracotta
8. Mira Jha: Mira Jha is being awarded for her craft hand embroidery
9. Seema: Seema is being awarded for her craft terracotta
10. Muhammad Amin Farooqui: Muhammad Amin Farooqi is being awarded for his craft calligraphy in wood
11. Muhesh Kumar Vaishnav: Mahesh kumar Vaishnav is being awarded for his craft miniature painting
12. Mohammed Faraz: Mohammed Faraz is being awarded for his craft artificial jewellery
13. Pallavi Das: Pallavi Das is being awarded for her craft of Madhubani painting
14. Sarita Devi: Sarita Devi is being awarded for her craft of Madhubani painting
15. Pratibha Kumari: Pratibha Kumari is being awarded for her craft Madhubani painting
16. Baba Uddin: Baba Uddin is being awarded for his wood craft
