Nine talented rural artisans of Jharkhand now have an all-India platform to showcase their skill, thanks to the office of development commissioner (handicraft), Ranchi, which functions under the Union ministry of textiles.

Currently, the selected few are taking part in the All-India Handicraft Exhibition at Bidhannagar in Salt Lake, Calcutta, which started from August 27 and will continue till September 5.

Skilled artisans, including artificial jewellery maker Jagdish Chaurasia, carpet weaver Indu Minz, zari artisan Geeta Devi and embroidery specialist Rajan Kumar, have been provided stalls in Calcutta free of cost.

Their lodging, food and travel are fully funded under Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hastshilpa Vikas Yojana.

The artisans have a busy travel diary across India — Asansol, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bhubaneswar, Rourkela, Vijayawada, Guwahati — till the end of the year.

For now, they are happy with the response from the eastern metropolis.

“Our artificial jewellery with innovative designs is getting positive feedback from visitors here. Many ladies have shown their appreciation for our wares,” Chaurasia said from Calcutta.

Assistant director (handicraft), Ranchi, A.K. Panigrahi concurred.

“Our artisans are getting an encouraging response from visitors. They are expected to earn a handsome profit. And Ranchi residents can also sample their skill and craftsmanship as they will put up their stalls in the state capital by the year-end,” Panigrahi said.

The artisans are among those craftsmen and women who have been provided with photo identity cards.

“We have already issued identity cards to more than 5,000 skilled artisans. Many more will get cards soon,” added Panigrahi.