Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday inaugurated the 6th Lok Samvardhan Parv at Parade Ground in Dehradun, marking the first time the flagship event is being organised in partnership with a state government under the PM VIKAS Scheme.
The five-day festival, jointly organised by the Ministry of Minority Affairs and the Uttarakhand Minorities Welfare and Waqf Development Corporation, features around 150 exhibition and food stalls, live craft demonstrations, cultural performances and entrepreneurship sessions aimed at promoting India’s traditional arts, crafts and culinary heritage while creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for artisans.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Rijiju said the Centre, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is committed to the principle of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas”, ensuring development without discrimination on the basis of religion or community. He said Lok Samvardhan Parv has evolved into a major national platform for artisans, weavers, craftspeople and entrepreneurs to showcase their talent and traditional products.
Calling the festival a celebration for all Indians rather than only minority communities, the minister said the initiative is dedicated to preserving India’s cultural heritage while strengthening traditional livelihoods. He urged people to support the Prime Minister’s “Vocal for Local” campaign by purchasing indigenous products displayed at the exhibition.
Rijiju said the event showcases a diverse range of Made in India handicrafts, handloom products, traditional crafts and regional cuisines from across the country. He added that the Ministry of Minority Affairs remains committed to the socio-economic empowerment of minority communities through education, skill development, entrepreneurship and improved market access. He also announced that he plans to visit the interior regions of Uttarakhand after the monsoon in consultation with CM Dhami.
Speaking on the occasion, CM Dhami said it was a matter of pride for Uttarakhand to host Lok Samvardhan Parv for the first time, making it the first state to collaborate with the Ministry of Minority Affairs for organising the flagship event.
The chief minister said the festival would introduce the younger generation to the country’s rich artisanal traditions while providing Uttarakhand’s artisans with a national platform to showcase their craftsmanship. He highlighted various initiatives undertaken by the state government for minority welfare, including scholarships for economically weaker minority students from Class I to Ph.D. level and development projects under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram.
CM Dhami also highlighted the Mukhyamantri Hunar Yojana, under which eligible beneficiaries can avail term loans of up to ₹20 lakh for entrepreneurship, and said initiatives such as House of Himalayas and the One District Two Products Scheme are helping promote Uttarakhand’s traditional products in markets across the country.
Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs, Dr. Srivatsa Krishna, said the Dehradun edition marks the festival’s first visit to Uttarakhand since its launch in 2024. He said around 150 artisans, including nearly 90 women artisans, are participating in the event, reflecting the spirit of Nari Shakti and the government’s commitment to inclusive development.
During the inaugural ceremony, dignitaries were felicitated and the Uttarakhand government released a commemorative postal envelope to mark the sixth edition of Lok Samvardhan Parv.
The exhibition features handicrafts, handloom textiles and heritage crafts from across India, with nearly 40 per cent of the stalls dedicated to Uttarakhand’s arts and crafts. Visitors can explore products such as Ajrakh block prints, lac bangles, brassware, woodcraft, terracotta, cane and bamboo products, handloom textiles and several other traditional art forms.
The festival will also host performances by artists including Jyoti Nooran, Kishan Mahipal, Vivek Nautiyal, Maya Upadhyay, Pandavaas and Parmish Verma, along with food stalls serving traditional Pahadi and Kumaoni cuisine alongside popular dishes from across India.
Open to the public from July 11 to 15 between 11:30 a.m. and 9 p.m., the event will also feature live craft demonstrations, buyer-seller interactions and entrepreneurship and digital marketing sessions to enhance market access for artisans and entrepreneurs.
According to the Ministry, five previous editions of Lok Samvardhan Parv have benefited more than 550 artisans, weavers and culinary experts by providing them with a national platform for business development, market access and the promotion of traditional livelihoods. The Dehradun edition marks a significant step in strengthening Centre-State collaboration for preserving India’s cultural heritage while expanding economic opportunities for artisans.
