New Delhi: Under the Narendra Modi government’s dictum of ‘development without appeasement’ insofar as empowerment of minorities goes, Union minority affairs minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Thursday inaugurated yet another edition of ‘Hunar Haat’.

‘Hunar Haats’ or ‘talent markets’ are a pan-India initiative launched by the ministry in 2016 wherein master artisans from the minority communities gather under one roof to showcase their talent and products to both domestic and international buyers.

Till date, almost two lakh artisans have found employment opportunities through these markets.

Inaugurating this edition—which will be underway from November 14 to 27—, in Delhi’s Pragati Maidan, Naqvi said the talent shows had become a ‘credible brand’ for empowering artisans and craftsmen.

“‘Hunar Haat’ has proved to be an effective empowerment and employment exchange for master artisans and craftsmen. Master artisans, including a large number of women artisans, from across the country are participating in it,” Naqvi said.

“Employment oriented programmes of the Modi government, such as ‘Hunar Haat’, have significantly encouraged and promoted the rich traditional heritage of master artisans, which had been marginalised for a long time, under previous regimes,” he added.

This was yet another move, said Naqvi, in the direction of fulfilling PM Modi’s commitment towards ‘Make in India’, ‘Stand up India’, ‘Start up India’. Our target is to provide employment and employment opportunities to about 5 lakh people through these haats, he added.

The artisans would be showcasing exquisite products such as ajarakh, bagh print, bandhej, Barmer ajrakh and applique, bidriware, cane and bamboo, carpet, chanderi, chaniya choli, chikankari, copper bell product, copperware, ceramic products, dry flowers, gota pati, handloom and home furnishings.

The upcoming editions have been planned in Mumbai later this year and in Goa in 2019.