Bhadohi,

11 Oct (HS): Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the 49th

International Carpet Fair and the fourth Carpet Expo in Bhadohi on Saturday.

Interacting with carpet entrepreneurs and exporters from India and abroad, he

assured them that the state government stands with them in every situation. The

Chief Minister stated that there's no need to panic over US tariffs; rather,

it's time to open doors to new opportunities. At the event, Chief Minister Yogi

Adityanath stated, Whenever challenges arise, they also bring opportunities.

The US has imposed tariffs, but that's only one country's decision. We are

moving rapidly toward free trade agreements with the UAE, the UK, and other

countries. These agreements will open new markets for our industries in the

future. He stated that the government has formed a high-level committee

on this issue, which is continuously working on the situation arising from the

tariffs.

Demand

for Bhadohi carpets has increased in the global market: The Chief Minister said

that 11 years ago, the carpet industry was on the verge of closure, but under

the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the carpet clusters of Bhadohi,

Mirzapur, and Varanasi received new energy. The Carpet Expo Mart was

established with Bhadohi as its center. When the first expo was held, the

number of foreign buyers was very low, but today, three to four hundred foreign

buyers from 88 countries are visiting. This shows how much demand for carpets

has increased in the global market. In his address, Yogi Adityanath said that

the Uttar Pradesh government has encouraged specific industries in each

district, including the carpet sector, under the MSME and ODOP (One District

One Product) schemes. Bhadohi's carpets, Moradabad's brass, Firozabad's glass,

and Varanasi's silk have gained new recognition. When we launched the ODOP

scheme in 2017, no one imagined that Uttar Pradesh would export goods worth over

two lakh crore rupees; now this has become a reality.

The

carpet industry is the biggest medium for women's self-reliance. The Chief

Minister stated that the carpet industry is not just a business; it is a

vibrant tradition of our artisans and craftspeople. Today, this industry

employs 2.5 to 3 million people and exports approximately 17,000 crore rupees

annually. It has become the biggest medium for women's self-reliance. The

government is striving to connect more women with this industry so that they

can become financially strong while staying at home. The Chief Minister further

stated that Bhadohi should not be underestimated; it is a symbol of the state

and the country's economic strength. Before 2014, this industry was almost

extinct, but today it has become the identity of Uttar Pradesh. He added that

on the occasion of Diwali, Swadeshi fairs are being organized in all 75

districts of the state, in which special stalls have been set up showcasing

Bhadohi carpets.

The

Chief Minister said, Our goal is not just to save the industry, but to

take it to new heights. When one country imposes tariffs, we will open our

doors to 10 new countries. This is the spirit of self-reliant India. Don't be

afraid of challenges, but turn them into opportunities. The government is with

you, your future is bright. On this occasion, MP Dr Vinod Bind, MLAs

Dinanath Bhaskar, Vipul Dubey, District Panchayat President Anirudh Tripathi,

Development Commissioner Handicrafts Government of India Amrit Raj, CPC

Chairman Kuldeep, Padmashree Dr Rajnikanth, officials associated with Bhadohi

carpet industry, stakeholders and many other dignitaries were present.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi