<span style="color: #222222;">Union Minority Affair Minister and Deputy leader in Rajya Sabha Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi today said that 'Hunar Haat' has proved a strong programme to give recognition to skills of the craftsmen and it has provided platform to provide market and opportunities to centuries-old traditional and ancestral arts and crafts of India. Mr Naqvi was addressing a press conference at Hunar Haat  being organised from today to  3rd April  in Chandigarh. </span><br />''<br />''He said that the Hunar Haat has provided employment and employment opportunities to more than 8.5 lakh craftsmen, sculpturists and artisans. He said that among 8.5 lakh craftsmen and artisans, 50 percent are women. The Minister said that the programme has changed the life of craftsmen and artisans living in the far flung areas.<br />''<br />''He said that Hunar Haat is an effective programme for strengthening the commitment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's  'swadeshi',  the 'vocal for local' and Atma Nirbhar Bharat campaign. Mr Naqvi said that more than 700 craftsmen and artisans from more than 31 states and Union Territories.are participating in the Hunar Haat at Chandigarh.<br />''<br />''<span style="color: #222222;">Hunar Haat will be formally inaugurated by the Punjab Governor and Administrator of UT Chandigarh  Banwari Lal Purohit tomorrow.</span><br />