Artisans should focus on getting their children educated and professionally trained in vocational trades -Dr. K.S.Rao

- By Imran Zaheer

Moradabad : The Moradabad Handicraft Artisans Training Centre(MHATC), a project of Ummeed – A Helping Hand Education Welfare Society was inaugurated by Dr. K. S.Rao, Hon’ble Minister of Textiles, Government of India on 13 September 2013. Present on the occasion were Mr. S.S. Gupta, Development Commissioner (Handicraft), Government of India, Shri Mohammad Azharuddin, Member, Lok Sabha, Haji Yusuf Ansari, Nagar Vidhayak, Moradabad, Mr. Lekhraj Maheshwari, Chairman, Export Promotion Council for Handicraft, and Mr. Mohd. Hussain, President, Shri Nadeem Hussain, Vice President and MrSayeed Ahmad, Secretary, ‘Ummed’ – A Helping Hand Education Welfare Society, Moradabad.

The MHATC has been established in Public - Private Partnership mode under Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme of Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. Mandate of the MHATC is to provide employment linked certified training to artisans in handicraft trades. The MHATC at present offering training courses related trades like welding, electroplating, polishing, lacquering, industrial application, export management, Auto CAD etc. In full swing it will offer courses in 45 trades and cover 20000 artisans and prospective artisans.

An Artisans Meet was also organized on the occasion at the MHATC during which artisans and representatives of their associations articulated problems and issues being confronted by the Artisans of Moradabad. Responding to issues raised by participants of Artisans Meet, Dr. K.SRao, Hon’ble Minister of Textile assured to look in to their problems and representations given in writing. Dr. Rao said he always have a soft corner for artisan as they earn by their hard work and skills and are nurturing rich heritage of Indian Handicraft for ages.

Dr.Rao expressed that he feels the pain when he sees low education, low skill and poor living and working conditions of artisans. He advised that artisans should focus on getting their children educated and professionally trained in vocational trades. He promised that if need be,he will ensure education and skill training facilities at the doorsteps of artisans.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Azharuddin, Member,Lok Sabha assured the artisan that as and whenever called up on to do so he will share issues and problems of the artisans with the Minister. Haji Yusuf Ansari, also assured to get support and cooperation of the state government in any step taken by the centrall government for welfare of the artisan. Function was closed with vote of thanks by Mr. Mohd.Hussain, President, Ummeed – A Helping Hand Education Welfare Society, Moradabad.