Union Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar to inaugurate the 19th Divya Kala Mela – an embodiment of the ‘Vocal for Local’ movement – in Visakhapatnam on 19th September 2024

Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment

Union Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar to inaugurate the 19th Divya Kala Mela – an embodiment of the ‘Vocal for Local’ movement – in Visakhapatnam on 19th September 2024

100 Divyang artisans, artists and entrepreneurs from around 20 States/UTs to showcase a diverse array of products and cultural diversity

Posted On: 18 SEP 2024 6:09PM by PIB Delhi

Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar would be inaugurating the 19^th Divya Kala Mela, in Visakhapatnam tomorrow. The Divya Kala Mela is being organized by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) [DEPwD], under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, through National Divyangjan Finance and Development Corporation (NDFDC), an apex corporation under DEPwD.

The Mela will be showcasing the products and craftsmanship of Divyang entrepreneurs/artisans from across the country, from 19^th – 29^th September 2024. The event would present an enthralling experience to the visitors as vibrant products from various parts of the country including Jammu and Kashmir, North Eastern states, handicrafts, handlooms, embroidery works and packaged food etc. will be on display.

Around 100 Divyang artisans/artists and entrepreneurs from about 20 states/UTs will be showcasing their products and skills. There would be Products in the following broad category: Home Décor & Lifestyle, Clothing, Stationery and eco-friendly products, packaged food and organic products, Toys & Gifts, Personal Accessories Jewellery, Clutch Bags. It will be an opportunity for all to go vocal for local’ and products made by Divyang craftsmen can be seen/purchased.

The 11 Days ‘Divya Kala Mela’, Visakhapatnam will be open from 11.00 A.M. to 09.00 P.M. and witness a series of cultural activities, including performances by Divyang artists and well- known professionals alongside. Visitors can also enjoy their favourite foods from various regions of the country at the event.

The Divya Kala Mela is a unique initiative towards the economic empowerment of PwD/Divyangjans, as it presents a huge platform for marketing and showcasing their products and skills. The Visakhapatnam  edition is the 19^th in the series that started in 2022 [(i) Delhi, 2^nd to 6^th  December 2022, (ii) Mumbai, 16^th to 25^th February 2023, (iii) Bhopal, 12^th  to 21^st March 2023, (iv) Guwahati, 11^th to 17^th May 2023 (v) Indore, 17^th to 23^rd June 2023 (vi) Jaipur 29^th June to 5^th July 2023 (vii) Varanasi, 15th to 24th September, 2023 (viii) Secunderabad 6^th to 15^th October 2023 (ix) Bengaluru 27^th October to 5^th November, 2023 (x) Chennai, 17^th to 26^th November, 2023, (xi) Patna 8^th to 17^th December 2023, (xii) Surat 29^th December to 7^th January 2024, (xiii) Nagpur 11^thto 21st January 2024, (xiv) Agartala 6^th to 11^th February 2024. (xv) Ahmedabad 16^th – 25^th February 2024 (xvi) Bhubaneshwar 5^th – 11^th July 2024 (xvii) Raipur 16^th – 22th August 2024, (xviii) Ranchi 28^th August – 8^th September, 2024.

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