Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, CM Dhami Inaugurates 6th Lok Samvardhan Parv, Showcasing India’s Rich Artisanal Heritage
Five-day festival brings over 150 artisanal & food stalls, live craft demonstrations and cultural performances, marking the first-ever Lok Samvardhan Parv organised in partnership with Uttarakhand Government under the PM VIKAS Scheme
11th July 2026, Dehradun: The Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India, in collaboration with Uttarakhand Minorities Welfare and Waqf Development Corporation, Government of Uttarakhand, today inaugurated the 6th Lok Samvardhan Parv at Parade Ground, Dehradun. The five-day festival was inaugurated by Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju in the presence of Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Minister for Minority Welfare Khajan Dass, senior officials from the Ministry and the Government of Uttarakhand, artisans, entrepreneurs and dignitaries from across the country.
Addressing the gathering, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said, “This festival has emerged as an important national platform for artisans, weavers, craftspersons and entrepreneurs to showcase their talent, traditional craftsmanship and products. We are delighted to bring this edition to the beautiful capital of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand, where artisans from across the country can not only exhibit their creations but also experience the warmth and hospitality of the State.”
“This edition is particularly special as it marks the first-ever collaboration between the Ministry of Minority Affairs and the Government of Uttarakhand for organising Lok Samvardhan Parv. Working with Uttarakhand has been a wonderful experience. Under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Central Government schemes have been implemented with remarkable commitment and ownership, making Uttarakhand a model for effective governance and inclusive development,” added Kiren Rijiju.
Talking about Uttarakhand, he said, “Having travelled extensively across Uttarakhand, including remote villages such as Gunji in Pithoragarh, I have witnessed firsthand the simplicity, sincerity and hardworking spirit of the people here. Every time I visit Uttarakhand, I feel as though I have come to my own home and am meeting members of my own family. I have also developed a deep appreciation for the State’s rich culture, traditions and delicious cuisine.”
He further added, “Our Ministry remains fully committed to the socio-economic empowerment of minority communities through education, skill development, entrepreneurship and market access. At the same time, I firmly believe that while we celebrate our diversity, we must always remember that we are one nation. Every citizen of India enjoys equal rights and equal opportunities, and no one should ever feel isolated because of their identity. We are Indians first. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has instilled a renewed sense of pride in India’s artisans and indigenous products. There was a time when imported goods were considered a symbol of prestige. Today, people proudly choose and promote products that are ‘Made in India’. Lok Samvardhan Parv is a reflection of this changing mindset, celebrating our rich heritage while creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for artisans across the country.”
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said, “It is a matter of great pride for Uttarakhand to host Lok Samvardhan Parv for the first time. Uttarakhand has also become the first State in the country to collaborate with the Ministry of Minority Affairs for organising this flagship event. I am delighted to know that Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has travelled extensively across Uttarakhand and is well acquainted with even the remotest regions of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand. This festival will introduce the younger generation of Uttarakhand to the rich artisanal heritage and traditional craftsmanship of different States, while also providing a valuable platform for our own artisans to showcase their skills before a national audience.”
He added, “Uttarakhand Government is committed to the welfare and empowerment of minority communities through several focused initiatives. Scholarships are being provided to economically weaker minority students from Class I to Ph.D. level, while development works are being undertaken in minority-concentrated areas under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram. Under the Mukhyamantri Hunar Yojana, eligible beneficiaries can avail term loans of up to ₹20 lakh to promote entrepreneurship and self-employment. Through initiatives such as House of Himalayas and the One District Two Products Scheme, we are also taking Uttarakhand’s unique local products and traditional crafts to markets across the country.”
The inaugural ceremony commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp, followed by the address by Dr Srivatsa Krishna Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India. This was followed by an address by Parag Madhukar, Special Secretary, Minority Welfare, Government of Uttarakhand, and an address by the SP Roy Joint Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India. The dignitaries were felicitated during the ceremony, following which the Government of Uttarakhand released a commemorative postal envelope marking the 6th edition of Lok Samvardhan Parv.
Following the inaugural session, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, accompanied by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Minister for Minority Welfare Khajan Dass, and senior officials, toured the exhibition and interacted with participating artisans, craftspersons, weavers, entrepreneurs and culinary experts. The dignitaries appreciated the exceptional craftsmanship and cultural richness displayed by the participants while learning about their traditional skills, production processes and market aspirations. They encouraged the artisans to leverage platforms such as Lok Samvardhan Parv to expand their outreach, strengthen market linkages and build sustainable livelihoods.
The 6th Lok Samvardhan Parv features around 130 exhibition stalls showcasing traditional handicrafts, handloom textiles and heritage crafts from across India. Nearly 40 per cent of the stalls are dedicated to the arts and crafts of Uttarakhand, providing local artisans with a significant platform to showcase their craftsmanship. The remaining stalls represent the diverse artistic traditions of various States and Union Territories, displaying renowned crafts including Kashmiri handicrafts, Ajrakh block prints, Lac bangles, woodware, brassware, terracotta, cane and bamboo products, handloom textiles and several other traditional art forms.
The inaugural ceremony concluded with a Vote of Thanks delivered by the Managing Director, Uttarakhand Minority Welfare & Waqf Development Corporation. The dignitaries also participated in a tree plantation drive under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign.
The inaugural day concluded with a spectacular cultural evening, with a mesmerising performance by celebrated Ghazal maestro Talat Aziz.
The upcoming days of the festival will feature performances by Jyoti Nooran, Kishan Mahipal, Vivek Nautiyal, Maya Upadhyay, Pandavaas and Parmish Verma, offering audiences a vibrant celebration of India’s diverse cultural heritage.
Visitors can also savour authentic regional cuisines at 20 food stalls, with a special focus on traditional Pahadi and Kumaoni delicacies of Uttarakhand alongside popular dishes from across India. Lok Samvardhan Parv is open to the public at Parade Ground, Dehradun, from 11th to 15th July 2026, between 11:30 AM and 9:00 PM. Entry to the festival is free for all visitors.
Throughout the festival, visitors will have the opportunity to witness live craft demonstrations by master artisans, participate in buyer-seller interactions, and attend entrepreneurship and digital marketing sessions designed to strengthen market access and business opportunities for artisans and entrepreneurs.
The Dehradun edition marks a historic milestone as the first-ever Lok Samvardhan Parv organised in partnership with a State Government, with Uttarakhand becoming the first State to collaborate with the Ministry of Minority Affairs in hosting the flagship event under the PM VIKAS Scheme. The initiative reflects the Ministry’s renewed emphasis on strengthening Centre-State partnerships to promote sustainable livelihoods while preserving India’s rich traditional arts, crafts and culinary heritage.
Since its inception in 2024, five editions of Lok Samvardhan Parv have been organised by the Ministry in collaboration with the National Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (NMDFC), benefiting more than 550 artisans, weavers and culinary experts by providing them with a national platform for market access, business development and the promotion of traditional livelihoods.
