AnyTime News 
Tradition Meets Innovation in State-Level Workshop
Artisans Empowered with Recognition, Tools, and Opportunities
Anytime News Network (Pooja Srivastava)
In Lucknow, a state-level workshop, seminar, and awards ceremony organized by the Uttar Pradesh MatiKala Board marked a significant step toward reviving and modernizing the traditional pottery sector. Held at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan, the event brought together artisans, officials, and experts from across the state.
The event was led by Rakesh Sachan, who emphasized that since the board’s formation in 2018, multiple initiatives have strengthened the sector, providing employment and financial stability to thousands of artisans. He highlighted programs like One District One Product as key drivers in taking local crafts to national and international markets.
The workshop focused on capacity building, training officials from all 75 districts on effective implementation of schemes, digital application processes, and subsidy distribution. The introduction of the “MatiKala Mobile App” was showcased as a major step toward digital inclusion of artisans.
During the seminar, experts discussed the current challenges and future roadmap of the pottery industry, stressing the need to blend traditional craftsmanship with modern technology and market strategies.
Artisans from Azamgarh, Gorakhpur, and Varanasi were honored with state-level awards, recognizing excellence in craftsmanship. Officials demonstrating outstanding performance were also acknowledged, reinforcing accountability and motivation at the administrative level.
A key highlight was the distribution of electric pottery wheels to artisans in Lucknow, expected to enhance productivity and quality.
With over 48,000 artisan families identified and thousands of tools distributed so far, the initiative is not just preserving a traditional craft but also creating sustainable livelihoods. The program reflects a strong commitment to transforming pottery into a globally competitive industry.
