Guna district in Madhya Pradesh became a hub of creativity as the Handicraft Exhibition 2026 opened its doors, embodying the success of the ‘Vocal for Local’ campaign. District Collector Kishor Kumar Kanyal lit the inaugural lamp on February 9 at 8:30 PM in Pratap Hostel, attended by key officials including CEO Abhishek Dubey and handicrafts representatives.
Organized with backing from the Union Textiles Ministry and state cooperatives, the three-day event until February 16 spotlights 50 stalls from major craft hubs. Visitors can explore Hyderabad’s Kalamkari prints, Bihar’s Madhubani art, Dehradun’s Kushiya work, Bengaluru paintings, Rajasthan clay pottery, UP’s Talaab work, MP durries, bead art, leather goods, date palm crafts, and more from Varanasi, Jodhpur, Nagpur, and Gujarat.
Kanyal’s inspection led to directives for clear labeling of artisan origins, enhancing authenticity. He highlighted how such platforms provide markets for creators while educating the public on India’s artistic diversity. ‘Come, see, buy – support our heritage,’ he appealed to locals.
The expo weaves personal success sagas. Gujarat’s Monu Gujarati transformed his struggles into stability via this national stage. Banaras weaver Jalaluddin Ansari now sells directly, saving margins and thanking PM Modi’s constituency ties. Jaipur’s Neeraj Saini reports income growth, Nagpur’s Shakun Thakur expanded dramatically with loans, and Bengal duo Bappa Das and Sevasi De found reliable outlets beyond rural hawking.
Enthusiastic shoppers from Guna praised the initiative. Mahendra Nayak wants more such access to handmade art, Gayatri Sharma values the jobs and products, and Biplab Jain sees it as a boon for domestic employment. Mukesh Jain, Deputy Cooperation Commissioner, invites crowds daily from afternoon to night, urging patronage for cultural preservation and artisan upliftment.
This gathering not only boosts sales but symbolizes a movement where local talent gains global visibility, proving policy’s ground-level impact.