Narendra Modi mentions Dhubri as traditional doll-making place

DHUBRI: It was a delightful moment for the people of Dhubri district when Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned the name of Dhubri in the context of traditional doll making places in the country in Mann Ki Baat aired by All India Radio on Sunday.

Modi's obvious reference was to the traditional doll-making industry in Asharikandi cluster of villages in Dhubri district, which has immense potential to create a market in the global arena.

"India's contribution in the world doll market is poor, but if they want they could contribute as there is huge prospect in it," Modi said while mentioning names of traditional doll-making centres in the country.

Talking to The Sentinel, Director of North East Craft and Rural Development Organization (Necardo), Binoy Bhattacharjee, who spent 30 years in promoting the traditional terracotta doll-making industry in Asharikandi cluster of villages, said that it was a huge recognition for Asharikandi by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and people of Dhubri expressed their gratitude for taking the name of Dhubri as being one of the traditional doll-making centres in the country.

"Modi's reference of Dhubri as traditional doll-making industry undoubtedly will rejuvenate the craftsmen of Asharikandi to take this industry to the global market," Bhattacharjee further said.

Bhattacharjee said that the Prime Minister's vision of participation in the global market with traditional dolls from India would be fulfilled in the near future as soon as Rupshi Airport near Asharikandi village would start operating.

Further, new railway track is being laid from Gauripur to Abhayapuri, of which trial run on the newly-laid track up to Bilasipara from Gauripur has been conducted by the Railway. The Gauripur Railway Station has been declared as junction, which will definitely play a big role in taking the traditional doll industry to the world market as better communication networks are key in marketing, Bhattacharjee opined.

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