Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP)

Kundapur, Jan 27: Karnataka State Handicrafts Development Corporation chairman, Dr Beloor Raghavendra Shetty, promised to provide state and national level markets for items made of clay. He said that encouragement would be extended to handicrafts of Karnataka and cottage industries, towards helping the craftsmen to lead a self-reliant life.

He was speaking after visiting Guruvandana Pottery Products unit at Aloor village in the taluk. He gathered information about making of pots and other clay products, watched the artefacts made there right from the making of pots, and inspired the people working in the unit.

Dr Shetty noted that in comparison to the pots made in Rajasthan which tend to be hard, pots made in Karnataka are softer. He said that help would be provided to the artists here by importing that technology to the state. "We have plans to hold a ten-day handicrafts exhibition-cum- fair at Udupi. Handicrafts made of bamboo, stones, and clay will be exhibited and people will be provided with information about them,” he explained.

Dr Shetty further said that union railway minister will be requested to see that the trains use items made of clay instead of plastic, towards supporting potters. On the basis of Atma Nirbhar ideal cherished by the Prime Minister, artistes will get encouragement. There is proposal to provide encouragement for KMF curds and ice cream at hotels in mega cities, he explained. He revealed that it has been decided to start a unit to make handicraft items in Kundapur with separate department for clay items. He added that production and marketing departments will be arranged.