Ilkal saree shop opens at Majestic railway station

NT Correspondent
Bengaluru

A stall selling ‘Ilkal sarees’ was inaugurated at the Krantiveer Sangolli Rayanna (KSR) Railway Station at Majestic in Bengaluru on Friday. The stall will remain in place for 15 days. Shyam Singh, Divisional Railway Manager, Bengluru Division, who inaugurated the shop said that the move would promote a local Karnataka handicraft.

The sarees get their name from Ilkal town in Bagalkote district. The clothing is famous for a form of embroidery called Kasuti. Kusuma Hariprasad, Additional Divisional Railway Manager (Admin), Dr A Krishna Reddy, Senior Divisional commercial Manager and others were present on the occasion. Ilkal saree has been accorded a Geographical Indication tag.

The stall was opened as a part of ‘One Station One Product’ scheme launched by the Ministry of Railways to encourage local craftsmen and artisans for marketing their products more effectively.

An official statement by South Western Railways (SWR) said: “It seeks to promote ‘Local for Vocal Vision’ of Government of India under Atma Nirbhar Abhiyan envisioned by the Honourable Prime Minister, to make India a Self-sufficient country.

KSR Bengaluru was the first Railway Station in the State to open a stall to sell the famed Channapatna toys, under one station one product scheme. “The duration of the stall will be for 15 days. A nominal registration fee of Rs1,000 is charged for the stall. Similarly, stalls will be inaugurated in more 11 stations by Divisional Railway Manager, Bengaluru, for various products. One station, one product project will support local artisans and also will be an ambassador of our rich culture & art.”