Kangna Ranaut Opens Craft Handloom Village in Manali to Support Local Artisans and Tourism

Bollywood actor and BJP Lok Sabha MP from Mandi, Kangana Ranaut, inaugurated the Craft Handloom village at Sharan in Himachal's Kullu district. During her visit, she inspected local crafts and handloom products made by women. She also attended a craft exhibition and distributed certificates and tools to women entrepreneurs.

Representative image

The craft village aims to promote handloom products and tourism by allowing artisans to live, work, and sell their creations in one place. This initiative is expected to benefit craftsmen who produce traditional items like shawls and pattoo, which are in high demand both nationally and internationally.

Support for Local Artisans

Ranaut highlighted the significance of this initiative by the central government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for Himachal Pradesh's artisans. She emphasised that Himachal is known for more than just its scenic beauty. "We want our locally designed and made woollens to be cherished by the people of India," she stated.

Traditional Manali shoes, known as pule, were also praised by Ranaut for their craftsmanship. She noted that these shoes are not only comfortable but also environmentally friendly. The event was attended by local Congress MLA Bhuvneshwar Gaur and Kullu Deputy Commissioner Torul S Ravish.

This initiative is seen as a significant step towards supporting local artisans and promoting traditional crafts. With products being exported to 30 countries, the scheme offers a promising future for Himachal's craftsmen.