Bhubaneswar: Odisha artisans sent back Bollywood stars Ranveer Singh and Disha Patani with return gifts. The duo was in Cuttack for the grand opening ceremony of the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup.
Ranveer Singh got a special handloom saree with Olchiki print in a dokra-infused golden grass box that was prepared by Cuttack Golden Grass artisans of Kendrapara. Women artisans had sent 200 products to the state government for gifting the dignitaries. The 12-inch box was one of them.
Actress Disha Patani was presented with a Sambalpuri stole. The department has readied brass and silver filigree replicas of the World Cup trophy to be presented to players and other dignitaries as gifts.
The products have been developed under the Skill Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion (SANKALP) project of the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE). Currently, 3,100 Golden Grass artisans from 35 villages in Kendrapara are being trained under SANKALP. They are being trained in design development and their products are also being marketed across the country by the Handlooms and Handicrafts department.