Filigree skilling centre comes up in Odisha

Cuttack: With an aim to create employment opportunities, Union Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Dharmendra Pradhan today inaugurated the skill-cum-common facility centre for filigree craftsman at Odisha’s Cuttack.

Speaking on the occasion, Dharmendra Pradhan said, “It is our endeavour to provide world-class facilities for skill training and to promote the traditional art and crafts of Odisha. As a part of this journey, we are delighted to announce the launch of Prime Minister Kaushal Kendra, a state-of-the art centre that will meet the local demands and hope this will definitely encourage the craftsmen of Cuttack and their craftsmanship to reach the whole world and they will get an opportunity to sell their products in different countries”.

Adding to this, Pradhan said that such initiatives will also boost tourism in Cuttack and more numbers of tourists will come to Cuttack to not only buy filigree but also other famous products of Cuttack including Khandua Textile, horn and terracotta work.

The project was launched on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Utkal Gourab Madhusudan Das, who laid the foundation of industrialisation in Odisha. They have been conceptualised as a mark of respect for Utkal Gourab Shri Madhusudan Das to carry forward his legacy.

Speaking on this occasion, Cuttack MP Bhartruhari Mahtab said, “I am very happy that, the Government of India has strengthened its support for such great initiative which will help in boosting Cuttack’s economy and make Odias self-reliant.”

Rajeev Sethi, Designer, Scenographer and Art Curator hailed this as a great initiative by Dharmendra Pradhan. Cuttack has renowned artists. “We need to take care of such traditional art, we need to encourage such artisans and male them world class. Let the world know what filigree is all about. There should be filigree international festival where the world gets to know what we are capable off. It is a great initiative which will boost the confidence of small artists and also make them entrepreneurs. This market oriented training and common facility centre is a great idea by Dharmendra Pradhan”, he said.

With the establishment of the Centre, the artisans will not only get an opportunity to upgrade their skills but will also get a window to connect with the global market. The Centre will also provide training on marketing strategies, including e-commerce, so that the artisans can be self-sustained and engage directly with buyers.

The Minister also launched a Pipe Fitter-City Gas Distribution (CGD) course which will commence at the Skill Development Institute in Bhubaneswar.