By Our Correspondent
Gorakhpur, September 9: In a move to elevate the global presence of Gorakhpur’s terracotta, four dedicated stalls will be featured at the upcoming UP International Trade Show in Noida.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who initially included Gorakhpur’s terracotta in the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme, has since promoted it extensively on both local and national platforms. This initiative has created abundant opportunities for craftsmen and the terracotta works are now poised to reach an international audience.
Highlighting his commitment to the craft, CM Yogi recently presented a terracotta Ganesha idol to Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar during his first visit to Gorakhpur, further reinforcing the global appeal of this traditional art form.
In addition, a diverse array of terracotta products from Gorakhpur’s ODOP will be on display at the second edition of the International Trade Show, scheduled for September 25 to 29 in Greater Noida, under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. This event will attract buyers from around the world, providing a valuable opportunity for terracotta artisans to reach a global market.
National award-winning terracotta craftsman Rajan Prajapati highlights the transformative impact of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on the terracotta industry. Prajapati notes that even before Adityanath’s tenure, terracotta artisans possessed exceptional skills, but lacked adequate government support and platforms, which limited the craft’s scope.
“He arrived as a savior for this clay craft, which was struggling before 2017. After becoming Chief Minister, he included terracotta in the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme in 2018. Since then, the craft has soared to new heights,” Prajapati remarked.
Since joining the ODOP initiative, the terracotta business has expanded annually, bolstered by government encouragement. This year alone, orders exceeding Rs 7 crore from outside states have been fulfilled in anticipation of Diwali, with artisans now focused on local festival preparations.
The government’s continuous branding efforts, spearheaded by CM Yogi himself, have ensured a steady flow of work for established artisans. Moreover, recognizing the future potential of terracotta, numerous new craftsmen and entrepreneurs have joined the industry, further strengthening its growth.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has a deep appreciation for terracotta clay craft and seizes every opportunity to promote it. Recently, he gifted a terracotta Ganesha idol to Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar during his visit to Gorakhpur for the inauguration of the Sainik School. This follows a similar gesture on June 5, 2022, when CM Yogi presented terracotta statues to then-President Ram Nath Kovind during his visit to Gorakhpur.
Additionally, CM Yogi organized a special display of terracotta products at the Circuit House for the President’s family. This initiative led to significant purchases by the President’s family and staff, further highlighting the craft’s appeal and quality.
