On the occasion of National Handloom Day 2021, team members of the Crafts Council of Andhra Pradesh (CCAP) had the unique opportunity to meet and interact with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. A firebrand leader who is also known for her love of handloom, the Finance Minister’s interaction with CCAP team members was a fruitful one. Important dignitaries present at the occasion included BJP Member of Legislative Council (MLC)Sri PVN Madhav, BJP MLC, who had arranged this meeting between the CCAP team and the Union Finance Minister.
During the meeting, CCAP President Ammaji Rayadu presented her with a gift hamper consisting of Andhra’s crafts that included a saree from Mangalagiri, a showpiece from Etikoppaka, along with other crafts and weaves from the region. The CCAP team comprised of Renuka Rani, Vani Ganamani, Nalini, Padmaja, Shilpa Dantu (Editor of Yo! Vizag) and Bhagavatula Jaya. The team briefed the Finance Minister on the activities taken up by the Crafts Council in Andhra Pradesh and pointed out that ever since the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, CCAP hasn’t had enough space to conduct crafts activities. They requested her for an area to conduct more crafts activities.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman evinced active interest in CCAP’s work and brought this matter to the attention of AP Finance Minister B Rajendranath Reddy. While interacting, the State Finance Minister mentioned that such an area would be apt in Visakhapatnam, and assured that the State Government would work closely with CCAP to make it possible. After the interaction with CCAP, the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman left for Ponduru, the Khadi Village where she will celebrating National Handloom Day 2021 with weavers.
This interaction was special for CCAP, as it provides encouragement to the activities taken up for weavers and artisans in the state. Operational since three years in the state, The Crafts Council of Andhra Pradesh (CCAP) has been instrumental as a mediator between the artisans and the designers. It has been encouraging local weavers and artisans, spreading awareness about regional weaves and recovering dying crafts.
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