Events of CSEC
Patna, October 31. Sikki art and handicraft products have a strong and growing demand even though there are very few Sikki artists. Bihar should directly market these gems internationally. This was the view of the Additional Director of Patna’s Bihar Museum, Shree Ashok Kumar Sinha, while flagging off training for the second batch of the Capacity Building Programme on Promotion of Sikki Art and Design. This 10-day event has been organized by the EIACP Centre of CSEC at the Asian Development Research Center (ADRI). CSEC is the climate crisis-fighting unit of ADRI and is supported by the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change of the Government of India.
Shree Sinha referred to the exemplary efforts of the Japanese Tokio Hasegawa, who founded Japan’s Mithila Museum that houses over 4,000 Bihari art items. The art collector has been inviting Bihari artists to Japan over the years, thereby enabling Bihar to gain international recognition. Shree Sinha also urged the trainees to be innovative while designing the Sikki items and promised to further train them accordingly.
EIACP Coordinator Dr. Mousumi Gupta assured the participants all help with respect to Sikki’s marketing and urged them to keep persevering while making them. Dr. Ashmita Gupta, Member-Secretary of ADRI lauded the landmark Bihar Museum for showcasing Bihar’s historical cultural products to the world. She pointed out that the training was empowering women and generating livelihoods while creating environmentally-sustainable products at the same time. This was a win-win situation for all.
EIACP Program Officer Dr. Sunil Kr. Gupta compered the entire program while pointing out that Sikki-making was a very ancient practice and traces its origin to the Mithilanchal area, including adjoining regions of Nepal.
Ms. Astha of Adhyan Bridge Consulting also urged the trainees to focus on bringing fresh ideas while designing Sikki creations. Preserving this age-old practice will make them self-reliant and empowered. Some 50 persons, including trainees were in attendance on the occasion. ADRI’s Ms. Pooja Kumari, Gulshan Patel, and Mausam Bahar also helped facilitate the entire event.