DeenDayal Hastkala Sankul - A Trade Center

DeenDayal Hastkala Sankul Scheme

Introduction
The Handloom and Handicrafts are the source of earning of a large percentage of people of India.  To encourage these sectors the Government of India decided to build the trade facilitation center and Museum for the handicrafts in Varanasi. The center is named as “DeenDayal Hastkala Sankul”.  Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone in 2014.  He has also dedicated the center to the nation.  

Objectives of the DeenDayal Hastkala Sankul-

• The DeenDayal Hastkala Sankul trade facilitation center would help the waivers and artisans of rural area to showcase their skills and handicrafts.
• This center would help to provide a better lifestyle to the artists as they must get a larger customer-base.
• These handicrafts would enhance the tourism potential and boost the economy of Varanasi.
• It would promote the silk products, hand-looms and handicrafts. It also would help these local products to be famous throughout the world.

Facts about the DeenDayal Hastkala Sankul-

• The center would facilitate market for the artisans and waivers from the tiny and micro enterprises who are involved in handicrafts.
• The DeenDayal Hastkala Sankul would encourage the handloom and handicraft products of Varanasi and must provide essential help to the artisans, entrepreneurs and waivers of the city.
• The Sankul would strengthen the marketing related activities in international and domestic markets. It would help to carry the rich handloom tradition of Varanasi.
• It must help the artisans and waivers to integrate into Global Economy. 
• It would provide help to the artisans for compliance with the trade formalities, procedures, regulatory and legal requirements. 
• The Sankul must make the artisans aware of the latest rules and regulation which facilitate the import and export activities and enhance the competitiveness among them. 
• The Sankul must showcase the tradition and art of Varanasi through the live demonstration, museum, audio visual presentation to the domestic and foreigner tourists.
• It would also help the exporters and artisans to promote their products in national and global markets.
• The trade facilitation center would preserve the traditional handicraft and handloom products of Varanasi and must showcase these products to encourage scholars, designers, tourists and young generation.
• The center was built on an area of 43,450 square meters out of the 7. 93 acres of total project area.
• The project would cost approximately Rs. 300 Crore.
• The center consists of a Craft Museum, shopping arcade and entrance plaza. 
• The location of the center is also very strategic. It is situated near the Varanasi - Gorakhpur Road (NH-29) and Varanasi - Sultanpur Road (NH-56). The Sankul is well connected with important locations including Varanasi and Sarnath.
• The Sankul consists of the automated BMS (Building Management Systems), power backup, system to protect fire, central air conditioner, ventilation systems, lifts and escalators to help the people to move in the center. The center is centrally monitored by CCTV system for security and safety.
• There must be the parking facilities with two basements along with the capacity to park approximately 430 two-wheelers and 370 cars.

Conclusion-
According to the Government, the DeenDayal Hastkala Sankul would help to build a growth corridor for development. It must boost the economic development and trade across the Eastern parts of India including Varanasi.

Key Points to Remember

• Government of India decided to build the trade facilitation center and Museum for the handicrafts in Varanasi named as “DeenDayal Hastkala Sankul”. 
• It was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi.
• The center would help the waivers and artisans of rural area to showcase their skills and handicrafts, enhance the tourism potential and boost the economy of Varanasi.