Besides performing its regular duty of crime prevention, detection, investigation, prosecution and maintenance of law and order, Howrah police in West Bengal is also empowering differently abled persons. It is providing them a space, where they can showcase their talent and earn a living. It organized a 3-day Howrah Grameen Shristi Mela (fair) recently.More than 50 local artisans and many NGOs working for the dis-abled demonstrated their skills and sold hand-crafted artefacts. Thousands of people visited the fair to be part of the ‘vocal for local’ campaign.
Speaking with Indian Masterminds, SP of Howrah Rural Police and 2013-batch IPS officer Swati Bhangalia said, “On World Disability Day last year, we thought that we must do something for our local and nearby differently abled artisans. So, an exhibition cum fair was organized to give them an opportunity to sell their products and earn their bread and butter.”
GRAMEEN SHRISTI FAIR
Around 35 stalls were set up in the fair. Many companies and factories of the city sponsored stalls for this fair under their CSR activity. Artisans just had to come and exhibit their products and sell their wares. The products ranged from home decor and lifestyle to clothing etc. There were handmade Eco-friendly products, toys, wooden work and music instruments.
Speaking with Indian Masterminds, an artisan said, “Such platforms not only provide us a place where large number of people can see our work, but also give us hope that we are also part of this society and doing something worthy. I hope that this will happen regularly.”
VOCAL FOR LOCAL
The encouraged the local art and craft like Dokra Metal Craft of Bengal which was one of the attractions in the fair. This rare art is about making statues, idols, jewellery and other pieces with the help of clay, wax and molten metal.
Howrah Rural Police is also planning to set up few permanent ‘Kiosk’ for such differently abled and economic weaker artisans to supports them. Ms Bhangalia said, “Success of this fair has encouraged us to organize more such events and fairs for these artisans.We are also contemplating some permanent solutions for them, so that they can easily earn which they really deserved.”
