Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], December 16 (HBTV): The Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government is taking decisive steps to bring the state’s rich arts, handicrafts and traditional products to national and international markets. After reviving traditional crafts through the ‘One District One Product’ initiative, the government is now preparing to establish the identity of all 75 districts on global platforms through the Prime Minister’s Ekta Mall.
The initiative aims to revive declining traditional industries in rural areas, strengthen artisans’ livelihoods and position local products as a new force of Swadeshi. The PM Ekta Mall project, initiated by the central government, is emerging as a major hub for the sale, display and branding of local products from across states, according to an official release.
Under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s leadership, state-of-the-art PM Ekta Malls are being developed at a rapid pace in key cities. In Agra’s Shilpgram, construction is underway on 11.53 acres at a cost of INR 128.85 crore, where products from Braj, Agra, Firozabad and nearby districts will be branded for nationwide outreach.
In Varanasi’s Ganganagar Colony, an Ekta Mall is being built on 1.46 acres at a cost of INR 154.71 crore. The facility is expected to promote Kashi’s traditional Banarasi sarees, zari-zardozi work, wooden toys, rudraksha products and other local crafts on wider platforms.
In Lucknow’s Awadh Shilpgram, an Ekta Mall covering 4.86 acres is being established at a cost of INR 64 crore and is expected to be completed by December 2026. The project is set to provide a large market for Awadh’s chikankari, zari work and other regional products, the release said.
The Ekta Malls are expected to not only boost sales of local products but also generate thousands of new employment opportunities, offering artisans, women and youth access to broader markets. The initiative is seen as a catalyst for rural economic growth, particularly benefiting small artisans who have faced prolonged challenges, with the recognition achieved through ODOP now poised to expand globally through the PM Ekta Malls. (ANI)