KSR Railway station to sell ‘Channapatna Toys’

NT Correspondent

The Krantivira Sangolli Rayanna (KSR) Bengaluru Railway Station will promote ‘Channapatna toys’ under the ‘One Station, One Product’ (OSOP) scheme.

While tabling the Union Budget for 2022-23, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had announced OSOP with an objective to help local craftsmen and artisans market their product more effectively. On Friday ‘Stall of Channapatna toys’ was inaugurated by Shyam Singh, Bengaluru D iv i s i o n a l R a i lw ay Manager.

Channapatna is a town in Ramanagara District and is famous for its wooden toys and dolls across the country. Because of the popularity of its toys, it is also called ‘Gombegala Ooru’ which means ‘toy town’.

As a traditional craft, it is protected as a geographical indication (GI) under the World Trade Organization, administered by the state government.

According to the South Western Railway’s statement, Bengaluru Division has allotted a stall to V Prakash, a local craftsman associated with Channapatna Handicrafts Artists Association.

The allotment will be on a pilot basis, which aims for the promotion of Channapatna toys.

“This initiative by the Ministry of Railways is aimed to promote local products in Railway stations,” read the statement.