U.T. will continue to support artisans, says Minister for Tourism

Tourism Minister pledges continued support for handicraft expos, promoting tourism and providing opportunities for artisans nationwide.

The government will continue to support the handicraft-handloom expos, which are an important part of tourism promotion activities, Tourism Minister K. Lakshminarayanan said on Sunday.

Addressing the valedictory session of “Pudu Vasantham” Crafts Bazaar-2025, a three-day event hosted by Crafts Council of Puducherry (CCP) and INTACH, Mr. Lakshminarayanan said one of the supportive measures for such expos, which helped artisans showcase their products and earn revenue, was to provide vantage venues at subsidised rates.

The Minister noted that the event featured an array of products of more than 40 artisans from all over the country, besides Puducherry, under one roof. This enabled tourists to not only shop for souvenirs, but also take home a work of art from any part of the country, he said.

He later presented the “Pudu Kaivalam - 2024” award posthumously to Rajendiran Muthaiah, founder of TAS Crafts in Puducherry. The award was received by the artisan’s family.

The Minister also distributed “Study to Sustain” scholarships, instituted by the CCP, for students of artisans to acquire skills.

Terracotta master craftsman V.K.Munusamy; CCP chairperson Vidyaa Ramkumar, and honorary secretarySithara Gerdes; and INTACH co-convener Arul were present at the event.